What we know about hantavirus cases tied to deadly cruise ship outbreak

TL;DR

Nine confirmed or suspected hantavirus cases, including three deaths, are linked to the M/V Hondius cruise ship.
The outbreak involves the Andes virus strain, which is unique in its ability to spread between people through prolonged close contact.
Investigations, contact tracing, and isolation protocols are underway in multiple countries as passengers have disembarked.
The first suspected cases were a Dutch couple who had traveled in South America prior to the cruise.
A British passenger was hospitalized in South Africa with confirmed Andes virus infection and is improving.
A German woman died aboard the ship, and three individuals (a Dutch passenger, a British crew member, and a German passenger) were evacuated to the Netherlands.
A Swiss man tested positive for the Andes virus after disembarking in Saint Helena, and his wife is self-isolating.
A suspected case is being monitored on Tristan da Cunha, a remote British island.
The WHO is coordinating with at least 12 countries to monitor returning citizens, including the US, Canada, Germany, and the UK.

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