Health officials in six U.S. states are monitoring at least nine residents for potential hantavirus exposure linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak.
A member of the Guardia Civil finishes erecting a tent at an expected reception point for passengers from the MV Hondius at the Granadilla Port in Tenerife, part of the Canary Islands, Spain.
At least six U.S. states are monitoring residents for potential hantavirus exposure linked to the MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged cruise ship at the center of an outbreak that has killed three people and sickened others. None of the U.S. residents being monitored have shown signs of infection. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a Health Alert Network advisory on Friday alerting doctors and state health departments to watch for potential imported cases, .
The CDC has classified the outbreak as a "Level 3" emergency response, the lowest level of emergency activation, and has stressed that the risk to the broader U.S. public is "extremely low.
"The Arizona Department of Health Services said it is monitoring one resident who was a passenger on the MV Hondius. "This individual is not symptomatic and is being monitored by public health," department spokesperson Magda Rodriguez . The resident left the ship at the South Atlantic island of St. Helena on April 24, before the outbreak was identified. The California Department of Public Health said Friday it is monitoring one resident who returned from the cruise ship.
"Local health officials are in contact with the one returned passenger," , adding that public health protocol includes daily temperature checks and assessments for symptoms consistent with hantavirus. The Georgia Department of Public Health said it is monitoring two residents who returned home after disembarking from the MV Hondius.
"The individuals are currently in good health and show no signs of infection. They are following current recommendations from CDC," a department spokespersonThe New Jersey Department of Health said Friday it is monitoring two residents who may have been exposed during air travel abroad.
"The New Jersey residents were not passengers on the cruise ship, and the potential exposure occurred during air travel abroad," in a statement. "Neither individual is currently reported to have symptoms suggestive of hantavirus. "The Texas Department of State Health Services said the CDC notified the agency Thursday that two state residents had been on the cruise ship and returned to the U.S. before the outbreak was identified.
"Public health workers in Texas have reached the two individuals, and they report they are not experiencing any symptoms and did not have any contact with a sick person while aboard the ship," the departmentThe Virginia Department of Health said one resident returned home from the cruise ship and is in good health. "Currently in good health and is under public health monitoring," department director of communications Maria Reppas .
Reppas said up to five additional Virginians who may have been exposed could be identified in the days ahead. The CDC has deployed teams to the Canary Islands, where the MV Hondius is expected to anchor inside the Port of Granadilla in Tenerife on Sunday, and to Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, where the 17 American passengers still aboard the ship will be repatriated to the National Quarantine Center at the University of Nebraska.
None of the Americans aboard are currently reporting symptoms, World Health Organization officials have said.
Health Alert Network Cruise Ship Georgia Department Of Public Health Arizona Department Of Health Services Health Monitoring State Health Departments California Department Of Public Health State Residents Texas Department Of State Health Services Public Health
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Tenerife Residents Fear 'Covid 2.0' as Hantavirus-Stricken Cruise Ship Nears PortTenerife residents express deep concern over the arrival of a cruise ship with a hantavirus outbreak, drawing parallels to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. With three deaths already reported and fears of human-to-human transmission, locals and officials are questioning the government's decision to allow the vessel to dock.
Read more »
Women's Health Week Emphasizes Preventive Care, Maternal Health, and Early ScreeningWomen's Health Week, observed from May 10 to May 16, highlights key health issues for women across the lifespan, such as improving maternal health outcomes, menopause, preventive screenings, and heart disease prevention.
Read more »
Tenerife Residents Protest Hantavirus-Stricken Cruise Ship ArrivalSome 140 passengers and crew members from a hantavirus-stricken cruise ship are expected to arrive in Tenerife, causing anger and protests from locals and port workers demanding more information about the ship's arrival and measures to be taken for their safety.
Read more »
World health chief addresses worried Tenerife residents as hantavirus cruise ship prepares to anchorMithil Aggarwal is a Hong Kong-based reporter/producer for NBC News.
Read more »