Recent events onboard the M/V Hondius have brought significant attention to a hantavirus outbreak, impacting international cruise passengers. As they navigate the challenges of this situation, health officials are working to ensure safety and care for those affected. Here’s a closer look at the developments surrounding the passengers’ return to the U.S.
American citizens arrive onshore after being evacuated from the M/V Hondius in the Granadilla Port on Sunday in Tenerife, part of the Canary Islands, Spain.
Chris McGrath/Getty Images
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Chris McGrath/Getty Images
Seventeen U.S. cruise passengers are expected to return to the United States early Monday after spending weeks aboard the M/V Hondius, a cruise ship associated with a hantavirus outbreak.
One passenger has tested “mildly” positive for the virus, while another is exhibiting mild symptoms, as reported by the official @HHSGov account on X.
The Americans disembarked in the Canary Islands and boarded a medical flight to Nebraska, arranged by the U.S. government. The two possibly affected individuals were transported in biocontainment units.
Upon landing at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha, the majority of the passengers will be evaluated at the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). The symptomatic passenger will proceed to a specialized treatment center.
Dr. Ali Khan, dean of the College of Public Health at UNMC, reassured passengers saying, “Welcome to Nebraska. You are coming to the premier facility in the United States, if not the world, to take care of you.”
The 17 U.S. passengers are part of nearly 150 people from 23 countries who were onboard the ship during this outbreak, which has resulted in at least eight reported cases and three fatalities, according to the World Health Organization.
While the returning Americans had been in isolation in their cruise cabins, health officials indicated they would need to be monitored for several weeks following their return.
The majority of these passengers are arriving at the only federally funded quarantine unit in the U.S., which previously accommodated passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise during the early COVID-19 pandemic.
Unlike COVID, the hantavirus strains have been studied extensively, including the Andes variant. Dr. Khan noted, “we’ve never seen any large outbreaks” from it before, suggesting this situation is unlikely to escalate to a pandemic level.
This strain of hantavirus, while potentially deadly, does not transmit easily between individuals and typically requires close, prolonged contact with symptomatic persons.
Currently, most U.S. passengers are reported to be in good health, but symptoms may not appear until up to 42 days after exposure.
According to Dr. Khan, monitoring these passengers is crucial to ensure they remain healthy and that any who do develop symptoms are isolated promptly.
Health officials stated that while all U.S. passengers will undergo clinical assessments upon arrival, they will not be officially quarantined. Some may be able to return home but will still require regular health department check-ins.
Seven other U.S. passengers who left the ship earlier are currently being monitored across various states, including Texas, California, Georgia, and Virginia.
Public health experts have voiced concerns regarding what they perceive as a subdued public response to the outbreak by U.S. authorities.
Lawrence Gostin, a professor of global health law at Georgetown University, criticized the U.S. response as “fragmented, disjointed, and delayed,” though he noted that it is now coming together. “The CDC was missing in action for quite a long time,” he stated. “Better late than never — but it is very late.”
In response, Emily Hilliard, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, asserted, “These claims are completely inaccurate. The U.S. government is conducting a coordinated, interagency response led by the Department of State. HHS, through ASPR and CDC, is supporting efforts to protect the health and safety of U.S. citizens.”
Hilliard elaborated on the CDC’s proactive measures, such as activating its Emergency Operations Center, deploying teams to both the Canary Islands and Nebraska, and notifying state health departments about returning travelers.
Although these actions have surfaced recently, Gostin affirmed that the U.S. is now taking steps to ensure passenger safety and community health.
Fortunately, the Andes variant is not highly contagious, and officials expect this outbreak to be contained. However, Gostin emphasized the existing gaps in pandemic preparedness, suggesting, “if this were a highly transmissible virus, imagine the chaos we would be facing now.”
He urged for increased investment in infectious disease prevention and control measures to better equip the nation for future outbreaks.
Key Takeaways
- Seventeen U.S. passengers from the M/V Hondius are returning home after weeks onboard amidst a hantavirus outbreak.
- Two passengers show symptoms; one tested mild positive for the virus.
- Passengers will receive clinical evaluations at the National Quarantine Unit in Nebraska.
- The outbreak has resulted in at least eight cases and three deaths globally.
- Hantavirus is less contagious than COVID and typically requires close contact for transmission.
- Health officials will monitor returning passengers for up to 42 days for any potential symptoms.
FAQ
What is hantavirus?
Hantavirus is a virus spread mainly through contact with infected rodent droppings, urine, or saliva, and requires close contact for human transmission.
How are the returning passengers being monitored?
Passengers will be monitored through clinical assessments and daily check-ins from health departments over several weeks.
What precautions are being taken for symptomatic passengers?
Symptomatic passengers are transported in biocontainment units and will receive specialized treatment upon landing.
Is hantavirus contagious like COVID-19?
No, hantavirus is not easily spread between people and typically requires prolonged contact with symptomatic individuals.
What should one do if they were on the M/V Hondius?
If you were on the ship and feel unwell, it is important to contact your local health department for guidance on monitoring and testing.
