90-Second Read: 3 New York residents among those aboard Hantavirus-hit cruise ship

Health officials said that three New York residents from NYC, Orange County and Westchester were aboard the Hantavirus-hit cruise ship. Health officials said Monday afternoon that three New York residents, including one from NYC, were aboard the MV Hondius, the luxury cruise ship at the center of a deadly Hantavirus outbreak. The Hantavirus outbreak began on May 2, after the vessel departed southern Argentina 41 days ago. The three New Yorkers are among the 17 Americans now home in the United States after the final 28 people prepared to disembark the vessel in Tenerife, the Canary Islands, early Monday. All three touched down at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska and are expected to be subject to a 42-day monitoring period, state health department officials said.

We are closely monitoring the situation and working with the CDC and local health departments." Two of the New Yorkers being monitored are from Orange and Westchester Counties; it is unclear right now which part of NYC the third passenger is from. As of May 8, a total of eight cases, including three deaths, have been reported, according to the WHO. The agency confirmed that the type of Hantavirus responsible for the outbreak is the Andes virus, which can cause Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. The MV Hondius carried 147 passengers and crew from 23 countries. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed." City and state officials said they would continue to monitor the situation and keep New Yorkers informed.

Hantavirus is spread from contact with rodents in areas where the disease is present, especially when exposed to their urine, droppings and saliva, according to the CDC. However, the Andes virus is the only Hantavirus known to spread from person to person, typically through close contact with an infected individual, the agency said. Meanwhile, health officials said the overall risk to travelers and the American public remains extremely low. At this point, it is important to emphasize that there is no immediate risk to the public. The 42-day quarantine period was recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

About the Author Barbara Russo-Lennon Barbara Russo-Lennon is the transit reporter at amNewYork. She covers news about NYC's public transportation system, roads, waterways and other topics related to transit in the Big Apple.