New Jersey Hantavirus Exposure from MV Hondius

Two United States — New Jersey residents are being monitored for potential exposure to hantavirus after contact with an infected person who had traveled on the MV Hondius cruise ship. The exposure occurred during air travel abroad, not on the ship itself. The United States — Florida Department of Health, in coordination with the United States — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local officials, is monitoring the individuals, who are currently asymptomatic. The Andes virus strain, known for rare person-to-person transmission, is implicated in the outbreak, which has led to at least three deaths and multiple confirmed/suspected cases linked to the MV Hondius. Health agencies in other states like Arizona, California, Georgia, Texas, and Virginia are also monitoring returning travelers. Despite the serious nature of the outbreak, the World Health Organization and United States — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention assess the public health risk as low, emphasizing that this is not a COVID-19-like pandemic. Oceanwide Expeditions, the ship's owner, reports no remaining passengers are symptomatic, and American passengers are being escorted to a quarantine unit.