An international health situation tied to the luxury expedition cruise ship M/V Hondius is now officially touching North Carolina.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced Monday that state officials are actively monitoring the deadly hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise after federal authorities confirmed that one person from North Carolina was aboard the ship and later evacuated alongside other American passengers to the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Health officials are keeping the passenger’s identity private, but confirmed the individual is currently under monitoring as federal agencies continue assessing everyone who may have been exposed.
Despite growing concern online, officials say there are currently no confirmed hantavirus cases in North Carolina, and they stress that the risk to the public remains “extremely low.”
“Our public health team is among the best in the country and remains ready to respond as the situation evolves,” said Dr. Kelly Kimple, director of the NCDHHS Division of Public Health. “We are in constant communication with federal, state and local officials and are prepared to assist the individual and protect the health and well-being of all North Carolinians.”
The alarming outbreak aboard the M/V Hondius has already sparked international attention after multiple passengers reportedly became sick during the voyage. Over the weekend, all remaining U.S. passengers were transported to Nebraska, where they are now being medically monitored under federal supervision.
According to officials, every passenger will be observed for symptoms for 42 days following their last possible exposure to the virus.
What’s making this outbreak especially concerning is the strain involved: the Andes virus — the only known hantavirus capable of spreading from person to person through close, prolonged contact.
Health experts say hantaviruses are typically spread through contact with infected rodents, including exposure to urine, droppings, or saliva from rats and mice. However, the Andes strain is far more rare and dangerous because of its ability to spread between humans.
Officials emphasized that the Andes virus does not naturally occur in the United States.
Most hantavirus cases in America come from entirely different strains usually found in western states. In fact, North Carolina has only recorded one hantavirus case dating back to 1995.
Symptoms can appear anywhere from four to 42 days after exposure and may include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Severe muscle aches
- Respiratory problems
- Difficulty breathing
