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. 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. 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. The 42-day quarantine period was recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).