health
Returning passengers from cruise ship being monitored for hantavirus in US
Officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are working with the World Health Organization to monitor several cruise ship passengers who have returned to U.S. soil for infection with hantavirus, a rare but fatal respiratory infection.
TL;DR
- Five passengers on the MV Hondius cruise ship have died from suspected hantavirus infections.
- The strain of hantavirus involved is from the Andes region and may spread between humans.
- Passengers who disembarked before the outbreak was known are being monitored in their home countries.
- The CDC and WHO are collaborating on a response, with officials stating the threat to the public is low.
- The US is collaborating with the WHO despite having withdrawn membership, as per international law and treaties.