90-Second Read: Hantavirus cruise: 41 people in the United States being monitored as investigation into outbreak source continues

The Epuyen outbreak infected 34 people and led to 11 deaths due to Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, in which a Hantavirus attacks the lungs. Contract tracing continues around the world as health officials work to find people potentially exposed to Hantavirus by MV Hondius passengers. A total of 41 people are being monitored for Hantavirus in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a Thursday afternoon news conference, according to news reports.

A cluster of Hantavirus cases struck the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius as it traveled across the southern Atlantic, stopping at a number of destinations along the way. Plus, several Americans who had disembarked the cruise at an earlier port are being monitored in other states. As of yet, there's "no indication" that there's anything particularly unusual about the Hantaviruses themselves, but it is notable that the outbreak is taking place on a cruise ship, said Anaïs Legand, the WHO's technical officer of viral hemorrhagic fevers.

At least 11 additional people are being monitored in seven states. USA Today compiled a map of states that have provided information about individuals who have potentially been exposed to Hantavirus and are being monitored. While most Hantaviruses cannot pass between people, one specific type, known as the Andes virus, can.