Health officials reported Monday afternoon that three New York residents — including one from New York City — were traveling aboard the MV Hondius, the luxury cruise ship at the center of a deadly hantavirus outbreak.
The three New Yorkers are part of the 17 Americans who have already returned to the United States after the last 28 people disembarked from the ship in Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, during the early hours of Monday. State health authorities reported that the three arrived at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, and will remain under a 42-day monitoring period.
“While the Department works closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health departments to gather information, at this time it is unclear how long they will remain in Nebraska or if, or when, these individuals plan to return to New York,” said Dr. James McDonald, commissioner of the New York State Department of Health. “We are closely monitoring the situation and working with the CDC and local health departments.”
Two of the New Yorkers under observation are from Orange and Westchester counties; For now it has not been reported which part of New York City the third passenger comes from.
The MV Hondius was carrying 147 passengers and crew from 23 countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the 42-day quarantine period. The hantavirus outbreak began on May 2, after the ship left southern Argentina 41 days ago.
As of May 8, eight cases, including three deaths, had been reported, according to the WHO. The agency confirmed that the type of hantavirus responsible for the outbreak is the Andes virus, which can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
Hantavirus is spread by contact with rodents in areas where the disease is present, especially by exposure to their urine, feces, or saliva, according to the CDC. However, the Andes virus is the only known hantavirus that can be transmitted from person to person, usually through close contact with an infected person.
Meanwhile, health officials said the overall risk to travelers and the American public remains extremely low.
“At this time, it is important to emphasize that there is no immediate risk to the public,” McDonald said. “We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.”
City and state officials indicated they will continue to monitor the situation and keep New Yorkers informed.
