90-Second Read: Three New Yorkers under 42-day monitoring after deadly Hantavirus cruise outbreak

Three New York residents who were passengers aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship have arrived at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska and are expected to undergo a 42-day monitoring period, state health officials said Monday. Health officials believe the outbreak may have begun after a Dutch couple became infected during wildlife excursions off the ship. As of Monday, nine confirmed Hantavirus cases and two suspected cases have been linked to the cruise, including one individual on Tristan da Cunha. We are closely monitoring the situation and working with the CDC and local health departments. According to the New York State Department of Health, Hantavirus infections are caused by viruses typically carried by rodents.

In North America, infection can cause Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal respiratory illness. Health officials in New Jersey said two residents may have been exposed during international air travel but remain asymptomatic and under precautionary monitoring. The last confirmed Hantavirus case in New York occurred in 2017 in Franklin County, state health officials said. James McDonald said the passengers include one resident from New York City and two from Orange County and Westchester County. At this time, it is unclear how long the individuals will remain in Nebraska or whether they will return to New York.

At this point, it is important to emphasize that there is no immediate risk to the public." Gov. Kathy Hochul said the state is coordinating with federal health officials and preparing for potential scenarios, while stressing that the risk to the public remains low. I've activated researchers in New York to start preparing for worst case scenarios and hope they don't come." Hochul also noted concerns about federal public health capacity. The World Health Organization continues to say the risk to the general public is low. McDonald said the state Department of Health is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health departments to track the situation.

We don't know whether those individuals will be returning to New York," Hochul said during a briefing Monday. No confirmed cases have been reported in New York or New Jersey. I want to make sure that the CDC is capable of handling something, should it grow larger than they're predicting. There is no specific cure or vaccine, but early treatment can improve outcomes. The CDC says person-to-person spread is rare, though it has been documented with certain strains, including the Andes virus.