CDC confirms low public health risk amid cruise ship Andes virus outbreak response

The CDC declared that hantavirus risk to the general US public remains very low on May 13, following an Andes virus outbreak among passengers aboard the MV Hondius luxury expedition cruise ship. Eighteen passengers were flown to Nebraska and quarantined on May 11; sixteen are monitored at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and two in Atlanta. One passenger initially confirmed positive was medically cleared to move from a biocontainment unit to standard quarantine. Dr. David Fitter, the CDC's incident manager, stated the agency has deployed over 100 staff members to the response. The Andes virus is notable as the only hantavirus species capable of limited person-to-person transmission, distinguishing it from typical rodent-borne hantavirus strains. Public health assessments remain ongoing in Nebraska.