90-Second Read: Sacramento County resident monitored for possible Hantavirus exposure tied to deadly cruise outbreak

A Sacramento County resident is among four Californians being monitored for possible exposure to the Andes Hantavirus linked to a deadly cruise ship outbreak, state health officials announced. CDPH said three Californians connected to the outbreak were aboard the cruise ship itself, while the Sacramento County resident was identified later through contact tracing tied to the flight. One of the three California residents who was on the cruise ship has returned home and is being monitored in Santa Clara County, health officials said.

The California Department of Public Health said the Sacramento County person may have been exposed while aboard an international flight carrying a passenger who later died from the virus. The exposure is tied to an outbreak aboard the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius, where at least three deaths have been reported. The Andes virus is the only known Hantavirus strain capable of spreading from person to person, though health officials say transmission is rare and typically requires prolonged close contact with someone who is sick.

Public health officials said exposed individuals are monitored for 42 days under CDC guidance. The CDPH said 99 California residents were diagnosed with Sin Nombre Hantavirus infections between 1980 and 2025. Officials said the person was not showing any symptoms or signs of infection.