The specter of a new health crisis rears its head. This Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that 41 people across the country are under strict surveillance after being exposed to the “Andes” variant of hantavirus. It all started on the luxury cruise ship MV Hondius, which after sailing from Argentina, became a source of infection that has already claimed the lives of three people.
What worries experts is that the virus is no longer alone on the ship. The group under monitoring includes 18 direct evacuees from the cruise ship, passengers who disembarked before the alarm was raised and – here’s the tricky part – a group of people who shared a flight with a symptomatic infected person from St. Helena to Johannesburg.
Hantavirus quarantine in the U.S.
Beware of hantavirus in the United States.
“To ensure monitoring and rapid access to medical care.”https://t.co/NPgGz2d950
– Joaquín López-Dóriga (@lopezdoriga) May 14, 2026
Unlike other viruses to which we have become accustomed, hantavirus requires prolonged vigilance.
Of the 41 suspects, 23 are at home under CDC digital monitoring, with instructions not to leave for a period of 42 days.
“We are working closely with public health partners to ensure prompt care if they develop symptoms,” said CDC official David Fitter.
Although the risk to the general public is rated as “low”, the Andes variant is known for its ability to be transmitted from person to person, which makes it much more dangerous than other strains.
The deadly journey of the MV Hondius
One U.S. passenger on the #MVHondius cruise ship affected by #Hantavirus tested positive and another person has mild symptoms, the #U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced.
The 17 U.S. citizens aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius were… pic.twitter.com/WHFYsCuvFF
– David de la Paz 戴维 (@daviddelapaz) May 11, 2026
The cruise ship, carrying 147 people, began its voyage in Ushuaia, Argentina, and traveled through several Atlantic islands before docking in the Canary Islands, Spain.
It was during this journey that the virus began to attack.
The Americans who returned to the country last Monday were received with biosecurity protocols to prevent the Andean variant from spreading in North American soil.
So far, no positive cases have been confirmed within the United States, but authorities do not plan to lower their guard until the incubation period has passed.
What about you Onnda, would you be afraid to get on a cruise ship at this time with this news? Do you think the authorities are exaggerating or is it better to be safe?
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Filed under: Hantavirus quarantine in USA
