LOS ANGELES — Medical experts urged the public not to panic about the Andes Hantavirus spreading beyond the Dutch cruise ship, MV Hondius, on the eve of docking in the Canary Islands.
What You Need To Know
The Andes Hantavirus is contracted through exposure to rodent feces and urine
At least three passengers on the MV Hondius have died from the virus
The Andes Hantavirus is the only strain that can spread from human-to-human contact
The California Department of Health says two California residents were on board
Per the California Department of Health, two California residents were on board the MV Hondius, though none are from Los Angeles County. One resident is still on the ship, and one returned home. The MV Hondius will dock in the Canary Islands to evacuate the remaining passengers on board on Sunday, where the CDC is sending a team to meet the ship and escort American passengers to quarantine.
Medical experts say that California residents and other American passengers will be closely monitored to ensure the safety of the public.
Spectrum News reached out to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health regarding any potential risk to the public, and they sent us this statement in response:
“The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is closely monitoring reports of hantavirus illness associated with an international cruise. At this time, Public Health has not been notified that any of the passengers that disembarked the cruise traveled to Los Angeles County. There is no indication of increased risk to people in Los Angeles County.”