CITYWIDE – THREE PASSENGERS FROM the hantavirus-stricken MV Hondius cruise ship are New York state residents, with one from New York City, the city Health Department announced in a statement on Monday.
All three have been brought to Nebraska’s Offutt Air Base following disembarkation from the ship, and are expected to be held for a 42-day quarantine period, according to Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin. Martin also said it isn’t known if or when the passengers will return to New York.
The city said it is working with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state Department of Health and other local health departments to monitor the situation.
A total of 18 passengers from the Hondius are in quarantine in the U.S. at the moment, following the deaths of three passengers from the rodent- and bird-borne respiratory hantavirus following the ship’s departure from Argentina last month. One has tested positive but is asymptomatic, while two more are being evaluated after displaying symptoms. Six more passengers who disembarked earlier are also being monitored.
Officials emphasized that the virus is unlikely to present a significant risk to the public, since it spreads only through close contact.
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