HHS Monitoring Symptomatic Passenger
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Sunday that one American passenger aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship has tested positive for hantavirus, while another passenger is showing mild symptoms.
Officials said both travelers are being transported to the United States on a specialized aircraft equipped with biocontainment units “out of an abundance of caution.”
Patients Headed to Specialized Treatment Centers
According to HHS, the plane carrying 18 MV Hondius passengers will first stop at the ASPR Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
The passenger who tested PCR positive for hantavirus and the symptomatic traveler will undergo medical evaluations upon arrival. The mildly symptomatic patient will later be transferred to a second specialized treatment center.
Health Officials Continue Precautionary Measures
Federal health officials said both individuals will receive clinical assessments and appropriate medical care based on their condition.
The developments come as authorities continue monitoring potential hantavirus exposure linked to the cruise ship outbreak. Officials have not released additional details about the patients or the severity of symptoms.
For the latest on the hantavirus spread, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.