Health authorities in the United States have confirmed that an American passenger returning from the cruise ship MV Hondius has tested positive for hantavirus, while another individual is reportedly showing mild symptoms consistent with the infection.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), both passengers will be transported back to the United States under strict biosecurity protocols as part of a medical evacuation operation involving 17 American nationals who were aboard the vessel.
The infected passenger tested positive for the Andes virus strain through PCR testing. This virus is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents and is believed to be linked to the deaths of three individuals aboard the ship, as well as several additional infections.
A second passenger is currently experiencing mild symptoms, although it has not yet been confirmed whether they have been tested for the virus.
All returning U.S. citizens will be placed under close medical observation at the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where specialized teams will monitor their condition.
Health authorities continue to investigate the outbreak and implement containment measures to prevent further spread of the virus.
