3 states monitor hantavirus linked to cruise ship outbreak

California is one of three states in the United States monitoring for hantavirus after the potentially deadly disease hit a cruise ship.More than two dozen people from at least 12 different countries left a cruise ship affected by a deadly hantavirus outbreak without contact tracing nearly two weeks after the first passenger died on board, the ship’s operator and Dutch officials said Thursday.Health authorities on at least four continents are now tracking down, and in some cases monitoring, the cruise passengers who disembarked on April 24 and trying to trace others who may have come into contact with them since then.People in California, Arizona and Georgia are being monitored for potential infection after being on the cruise ship, though none have shown signs of illness so far.It was unclear when those residents were aboard the ship or when they returned.In a statement, the California Department of Public Health said:“The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has been notified by the CDC of California residents who were onboard the cruise ship that had passengers infected with hantavirus. We are coordinating with local health officials, as needed, to monitor returning travelers. There is no information that the California residents are ill or infected. In order to protect patient privacy, CDPH cannot disclose the travelers’ residences or other information. At this time, the risk to public health in California is low.”The World Health Organization said a hantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel had sickened seven people as of May 4, 2026, including two confirmed and five suspected cases, with three deaths.The ship carried 147 passengers and crew and was off Cabo Verde. Officials from several countries are investigating the source, monitoring contacts and managing cases.Three people — a Dutch couple and a German national — have died since the vessel departed Argentina last month. The first suspected case was a 70-year-old Dutch man who died on board on April 11.One person who was on board the Hondius is at home in Arizona, another is in Virginia, two are in Georgia and an unknown number are back in California, according to authorities in those states, as reported by NBC News.None were reported to have symptoms of the rare virus, and officials said the risk to the public remains low. The agency currently assesses the global public health risk as low and does not recommend travel or trade restrictions.What is hantavirus and the Andes virus?People can become infected by hantavirus from contact with rodents like rats and mice, especially when exposed to their urine, droppings and saliva, according to the CDC.The Andes virus is the only type of hantavirus that is known to spread person-to-person. Argentina’s health ministry said there were 28 deaths from hantavirus last year, up from an average mortality rate of 15 in the five years before that. Nearly a third of cases last year were fatal, it said.Symptoms for Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome can show up one to eight weeks after contact with an infected rodent.According to the CDC, early symptoms include fatigue, fever and muscle aches. About half of patients also experience headaches, dizziness, chills and abdominal problems.The CDC says that 38% of people who develop respiratory symptoms may die from the disease.NBC News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

California is one of three states in the United States monitoring for hantavirus after the potentially deadly disease hit a cruise ship.

More than two dozen people from at least 12 different countries left a cruise ship affected by a deadly hantavirus outbreak without contact tracing nearly two weeks after the first passenger died on board, the ship’s operator and Dutch officials said Thursday.

Health authorities on at least four continents are now tracking down, and in some cases monitoring, the cruise passengers who disembarked on April 24 and trying to trace others who may have come into contact with them since then.

People in California, Arizona and Georgia are being monitored for potential infection after being on the cruise ship, though none have shown signs of illness so far.

It was unclear when those residents were aboard the ship or when they returned.

In a statement, the California Department of Public Health said:

“The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has been notified by the CDC of California residents who were onboard the cruise ship that had passengers infected with hantavirus. We are coordinating with local health officials, as needed, to monitor returning travelers. There is no information that the California residents are ill or infected. In order to protect patient privacy, CDPH cannot disclose the travelers’ residences or other information. At this time, the risk to public health in California is low.”

The World Health Organization said a hantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel had sickened seven people as of May 4, 2026, including two confirmed and five suspected cases, with three deaths.

The ship carried 147 passengers and crew and was off Cabo Verde. Officials from several countries are investigating the source, monitoring contacts and managing cases.

Three people — a Dutch couple and a German national — have died since the vessel departed Argentina last month. The first suspected case was a 70-year-old Dutch man who died on board on April 11.

One person who was on board the Hondius is at home in Arizona, another is in Virginia, two are in Georgia and an unknown number are back in California, according to authorities in those states, as reported by NBC News.

None were reported to have symptoms of the rare virus, and officials said the risk to the public remains low.

The agency currently assesses the global public health risk as low and does not recommend travel or trade restrictions.

What is hantavirus and the Andes virus?

People can become infected by hantavirus from contact with rodents like rats and mice, especially when exposed to their urine, droppings and saliva, according to the CDC.

The Andes virus is the only type of hantavirus that is known to spread person-to-person. Argentina’s health ministry said there were 28 deaths from hantavirus last year, up from an average mortality rate of 15 in the five years before that. Nearly a third of cases last year were fatal, it said.

Symptoms for Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome can show up one to eight weeks after contact with an infected rodent.

According to the CDC, early symptoms include fatigue, fever and muscle aches. About half of patients also experience headaches, dizziness, chills and abdominal problems.

The CDC says that 38% of people who develop respiratory symptoms may die from the disease.

NBC News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.