The U.S. government is preparing to evacuate American passengers from a cruise ship connected to a hantavirus outbreak that has resulted in several illnesses and fatalities. The plan involves transporting these passengers to a military base in Nebraska for quarantine and health monitoring.
Health officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated on Friday that the risk to the general American population remains very low as they arrange a medical flight for those onboard the M/V Hondius.
President Trump reassured the public, saying that the situation seems manageable as the virus is not easily transmitted. “We have very good people looking at it,” he said. “It seems to be okay. They know this virus well; it’s not easily passed on like COVID.”
The outbreak began with a passenger falling ill in early April and has led to at least three deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). As passengers traveled to different countries in Africa and Europe, health officials are tracing contacts to prevent further spread of the virus. In an effort to contain the situation, authorities in Cape Verde had previously restricted passengers from leaving the ship.
Hantavirus is an uncommon but serious disease that is generally spread through contact with infected rodents or their droppings. While most strains do not transmit between people, the Andes virus—linked to some cases from this cruise ship—is known to have limited human-to-human transmission.
The M/V Hondius is expected to dock in the Canary Islands, where international teams are coordinating the next steps for both the passengers and crew. A team from the CDC has been sent to the Canary Islands to monitor potential exposure among American travelers.
Once onboard the U.S. government flight, passengers will be taken to Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska, where they will continue receiving medical assessments. Additional CDC staff will be available at the base to assist with health evaluations.
