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Passengers from virus-stricken cruise ship fly to home countries for monitoring

Passengers from virus-stricken cruise ship fly to home countries for monitoring

A French woman and an American have tested positive for the hantavirus as nations around the world repatriated passengers from a cruise ship hit by an outbreak and quarantine or isolate them
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WHO Addresses Uncertainty in Hantavirus Spread Amid Cruise Ship Outbreak

WHO Addresses Uncertainty in Hantavirus Spread Amid Cruise Ship Outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) is grappling with uncertainty regarding the spread of the hantavirus following an outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship. The virus, primarily transmitted through contact with rodents, has shown rare human-to-human transmission capabilities, particularly with the Andes strain. The outbreak has led to varied responses from different countries, with some passengers being placed in biocontainment units and others asked to self-isolate. The WHO has recommended a 42-day quarantine period due to the virus's long incubation period and the uncertainty surrounding when individuals become infectious. Despite the low risk to the general public, the lack of comprehensive data on the virus's transmission is complicating containment efforts.
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CDC Acting Director Assures Public on Hantavirus Risk Amid Outbreak

CDC Acting Director Assures Public on Hantavirus Risk Amid Outbreak

Jay Bhattacharya, the acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has addressed concerns regarding the hantavirus outbreak, emphasizing that it does not warrant a 'five-alarm fire bell' response. The outbreak, linked to the Andes strain, has resulted in three deaths and 10 confirmed or suspected cases on the cruise ship MV Hondius. Bhattacharya highlighted the differences between hantavirus and COVID-19, noting that hantavirus requires prolonged close contact for transmission. The CDC is working with state and local health departments, as well as international organizations, to manage the situation. Eighteen American passengers from the affected cruise ship are being monitored in Nebraska and Georgia.
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U.S. Plans Monitoring for Americans Returning from Hantavirus-Affected Cruise Ship

U.S. Plans Monitoring for Americans Returning from Hantavirus-Affected Cruise Ship

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has outlined plans to monitor 17 American passengers returning from the MV Hondius cruise ship, which experienced a hantavirus outbreak. These passengers will be transported to a federal quarantine facility in Nebraska for initial assessment before self-isolating at home. The CDC is coordinating with the State Department, Spanish authorities, and the WHO to ensure safe repatriation. The outbreak involves the Andes strain of hantavirus, capable of limited human-to-human transmission. The CDC emphasizes that the public health risk remains low, and the situation is being closely monitored.
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WHO Director Oversees Hantavirus Cruise Evacuation Amid Global Concerns

WHO Director Oversees Hantavirus Cruise Evacuation Amid Global Concerns

World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has arrived in Tenerife to personally oversee the evacuation of over 100 people from the MV Hondius cruise ship, which is dealing with an outbreak of the rare hantavirus. The ship, which is expected to dock at Tenerife, has reported eight confirmed or suspected cases of the virus, resulting in three deaths. The WHO has assured that the risk to the local population is low, emphasizing that hantavirus is not as transmissible as COVID-19. The evacuation plan includes six flights to the EU and four to non-EU countries, with 17 Americans on board being transported to the National Quarantine Center in Nebraska. The virus, typically spread through contact with rodents, has been identified as the Andes strain, which can be transmitted between humans through close contact.
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Tenerife Hosts Evacuation of Hantavirus-Affected Cruise Ship Passengers

Tenerife Hosts Evacuation of Hantavirus-Affected Cruise Ship Passengers

The MV Hondius cruise ship, affected by a hantavirus outbreak, has docked in Tenerife, Spain, where a carefully managed evacuation of passengers is underway. The ship, which left Argentina last month, has been linked to three deaths due to hantavirus, a disease spread by rodents. Spanish health authorities have coordinated the evacuation of 94 passengers from 19 different countries. The World Health Organization has stated that the outbreak poses a low risk to the general public. Passengers were tested for symptoms before being ferried ashore in small boats. They were then transported to the airport for flights back to their home countries. The ship will proceed to Rotterdam for disinfection after the crew disembarks.
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CDC Confirms Low Risk of Widespread Hantavirus Outbreak in the U.S.

CDC Confirms Low Risk of Widespread Hantavirus Outbreak in the U.S.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reassured the public that the risk of a widespread hantavirus outbreak in the United States remains low. This statement comes amid concerns following an outbreak on the MV Honius cruise ship, where the Andes strain of the virus, known for its rare person-to-person transmission capability, resulted in three fatalities. The CDC emphasized that hantavirus is typically contracted through contact with rodent excretions, and person-to-person transmission is uncommon. The agency has extensive experience with the Andes strain and is closely monitoring the situation. Currently, seven American passengers from the cruise have returned to the U.S. and are under observation, while 17 others remain on the ship, which is nearing the Canary Islands.
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CDC Criticized for Limited Response to Cruise Ship Hantavirus Outbreak Involving Americans

CDC Criticized for Limited Response to Cruise Ship Hantavirus Outbreak Involving Americans

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is facing criticism for its muted response to a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship involving American passengers. The outbreak, which began with a 70-year-old Dutch man who fell ill and died, has not escalated significantly due to the virus's limited transmissibility compared to diseases like COVID-19. However, public health experts have noted the CDC's lack of immediate action, such as dispatching disease investigators or holding public briefings. The CDC's involvement only intensified late Friday, with plans to send teams to Spain's Canary Islands and Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska to manage the situation. The agency also issued a health alert to U.S. doctors about potential imported cases. This response contrasts with the CDC's historically proactive role in global health crises, raising concerns about its current capacity and influence.
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WHO Director-General Addresses Public Concerns Over Hantavirus Outbreak on MV Hondius

WHO Director-General Addresses Public Concerns Over Hantavirus Outbreak on MV Hondius

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has issued a personal letter to the residents of Tenerife, addressing concerns about the hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship. The ship, carrying 146 passengers and crew from 23 countries, has reported three deaths and five confirmed cases of hantavirus. The virus, identified as the Andes strain, spreads through close contact with bodily fluids and is not airborne. The ship is scheduled to dock at Granadilla, Tenerife, on May 11, with passengers being transported in sealed vehicles. Tedros assured the public that the risk of transmission is low and emphasized the importance of trust in public health measures.
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Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship Highlights Public Health Communication Gaps

Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship Highlights Public Health Communication Gaps

The World Health Organization (WHO) has addressed concerns regarding a hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship, which is set to dock in Tenerife. The ship, carrying 146 passengers and crew, has reported three deaths and five confirmed cases of hantavirus. The virus, identified as the Andes strain, spreads through close contact rather than airborne transmission. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus personally assured the residents of Tenerife of their low risk, highlighting the need for effective public health communication. The outbreak underscores the challenges faced by public health systems in maintaining trust and providing clear guidance post-COVID-19.
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CDC Director Reassures Public on Hantavirus Outbreak, Emphasizes It’s Not Like COVID-19

CDC Director Reassures Public on Hantavirus Outbreak, Emphasizes It’s Not Like COVID-19

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has urged the public not to panic over the hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship. He emphasized that hantavirus is not as contagious as COVID-19 and requires close contact for transmission. The outbreak has resulted in three deaths and several serious illnesses among passengers. The CDC is following established protocols to manage the situation, including monitoring American passengers who may be quarantined upon their return to the U.S. Bhattacharya reassured that the CDC is prepared and has been in contact with affected individuals.
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U.S. Government Repatriates Cruise Passengers for Hantavirus Monitoring in Nebraska

U.S. Government Repatriates Cruise Passengers for Hantavirus Monitoring in Nebraska

Seventeen U.S. passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship, which experienced a hantavirus outbreak, are being repatriated to Nebraska for monitoring. The outbreak resulted in eight cases and three deaths, according to the World Health Organization. The passengers will undergo initial evaluations at the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), a premier facility for such cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has arranged a medical repatriation flight for these passengers, who had been isolating in their cabins. The hantavirus strain involved, the Andes variant, is known to be deadly but not highly contagious, requiring prolonged close contact for transmission. Health officials have decided against official quarantine, opting instead for home monitoring with daily health department check-ins after the initial assessment.