Americans From Hantavirus Cruise Ship Return to U.S.

The remaining American passengers from the hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius have arrived back in the United States as health officials continue monitoring the rare outbreak.

The State Department flight carrying the passengers landed early Monday in Omaha, where most travelers were transferred to specialized medical facilities for quarantine and observation.

Americans transferred for monitoring and treatment

Officials confirmed that 18 Americans returned on the repatriation flight. Sixteen were transported to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, while two others were taken to Emory University for additional monitoring.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, one passenger tested positive for hantavirus, while another traveler with mild symptoms was sent to a separate treatment facility “out of an abundance of caution.”

However, Spanish health officials later said the positive result was “not conclusive.”

Authorities explained that one laboratory considered the test a weak positive, while a second analysis returned a negative result.

Officials stress risk to public remains low

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials emphasized Monday that the risk to the broader public remains extremely low.

Health experts continue to note that the Andes strain of hantavirus — the variant identified in the outbreak — spreads only through close and prolonged contact with symptomatic individuals.

“Hantavirus usually requires very close contact and symptoms for a patient to pass it on,” officials said during a press conference.

Passengers will still undergo a full 42-day monitoring period because hantavirus can incubate for up to six weeks.

Outbreak linked to MV Hondius expedition

The Dutch-flagged MV Hondius departed Argentina on April 1 for a remote sightseeing expedition.

The outbreak eventually resulted in:

• Six confirmed cases
• Two suspected cases
• Three deaths connected to the illness

The first passenger died at sea on April 11 after developing respiratory symptoms. His wife later died in Johannesburg after being removed from a connecting flight due to severe illness.

A third passenger, a German national, later died aboard the ship.

WHO investigation continues

The World Health Organization is continuing its investigation into the source of the outbreak.

Officials believe the initial exposure may have occurred during a birdwatching excursion in southern Argentina before passengers boarded the ship.

The Andes strain identified in this outbreak is considered the only hantavirus strain capable of limited human-to-human transmission.

Quarantine facilities described as highly controlled

At the Nebraska quarantine center, officials described conditions as secure but comfortable.

Most passengers are staying in quarantine rooms designed for observation rather than intensive medical treatment.

One passenger shared on social media that his room included exercise equipment and a television.

Meanwhile, one asymptomatic traveler is being housed in a specialized biocontainment unit for closer monitoring.

Other countries continue evacuations

Passengers from multiple countries continue returning home from the Canary Islands after the ship docked Sunday in Tenerife.

Authorities in:

• France
• United Kingdom
• Canada
• Netherlands
• Switzerland

are monitoring or quarantining former passengers and crew members.

French officials confirmed Monday that one repatriated passenger tested positive for hantavirus after developing symptoms during the flight home.

CDC says containment remains priority

U.S. health authorities said the goal is to keep restrictions “as least restrictive as possible” while still protecting communities.

“Our top priority is the health and safety of the passengers and their communities,” officials said.

Despite global concern surrounding the outbreak, experts continue stressing that hantavirus does not spread like airborne illnesses such as COVID-19 and remains difficult to transmit under normal circumstances.