The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently monitoring 41 individuals in the US for a rare strain of hantavirus that caused an outbreak among passengers aboard a cruise ship. The virus, known as Andes hantavirus, is typically transmitted through contact with rodent droppings or urine.

This includes 18 passengers from the cruise who are now in quarantine facilities in Nebraska and Georgia, along with other passengers who returned home before the outbreak was identified, and individuals exposed during travel on flights where symptomatic cases were present. According to David Fitter, incident manager for the CDC’s hantavirus response, those under monitoring should remain at home during a 42-day period to avoid spreading the virus.

The Andes strain of hantavirus has a fatality rate of around 35%, and as of Thursday, the World Health Organization (WHO) had confirmed 11 cases among passengers of the MV Hondius cruise ship, with three deaths. The CDC's approach emphasizes risk-based evidence and close collaboration with public health partners to ensure rapid access to care if symptoms develop.

While the risk to the general public is considered low, this outbreak underscores the global nature of disease transmission and the comprehensive measures taken by health authorities to monitor potential cases. As of now, all Americans who were on board the cruise at any point are back in the US, under varying levels of monitoring.