Hantavirus outbreak on MV Hondius: What we know about the affected passengers

Spain: American passengers evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship following the hantavirus outbreak are now in the United States, where health authorities are monitoring them at specialised medical facilities, officials said. Additional details have also emerged regarding the condition of passengers from other countries linked to the outbreak.

At present, 18 people are under medical observation in the US. 17 are American citizens, while one is a dual British national. The group ranges in age from people in their late 20s to those in their early 80s, with officials noting that older passengers and individuals with underlying medical conditions face a greater risk of severe illness.

Sixteen of the passengers are being treated or monitored at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). One patient who tested positive for hantavirus has been admitted to the biocontainment unit, while 15 others are housed in the facility’s quarantine unit.

Authorities said all 15 passengers currently staying in the National Quarantine Unit remain asymptomatic.

Two additional passengers were transferred to Emory University in Atlanta. Officials said at least one of them is showing symptoms associated with the virus. The pair are being cared for in a biocontainment unit.

The transfer to Atlanta formed part of contingency planning, as UNMC’s biocontainment facilities did not have sufficient capacity to accommodate every passenger requiring monitoring.

Health authorities are expected to assess the condition of each individual over the coming days before deciding whether they should complete the full 42-day monitoring period at home or continue under supervision at medical facilities.

Additional monitoring across seven states

Beyond the 18 people currently under observation in specialised facilities, at least 11 others are being monitored across seven US states.

Officials said passengers in Arizona, California, Georgia, Texas and Virginia had already disembarked from the ship earlier. Meanwhile, individuals in New Jersey and Maryland were identified as having been exposed to a confirmed case during international flights.

“The risk of hantavirus to the general public remains very, very low,” said Dr Brian Christine, assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services.

French passenger’s condition worsens

French health authorities confirmed that one of five French nationals evacuated from the cruise ship has tested positive for hantavirus.

French Health Minister Stephanie Rist told France Inter radio that the woman began developing symptoms while returning from Tenerife and tested positive after arriving home.

According to Rist, the passenger’s condition deteriorated overnight and she is currently receiving treatment at a specialist hospital.

Spanish passenger tests positive

Spain’s Health Ministry said a Spanish passenger being isolated at a hospital in Madrid also tested positive in a preliminary hantavirus test.

Although final test confirmation is still awaited, officials said the man remains asymptomatic and is in good health.

The ministry added that the remaining 13 Spanish passengers evacuated from the ship have all tested negative so far.

Death toll

Three passengers who were aboard the MV Hondius have died in connection with the outbreak.

According to the World Health Organization, nine hantavirus cases have been reported to date, of which seven have been confirmed.

With agency inputs