Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed on Monday, May 11th that three New York residents were among the passengers connected to a hantavirus outbreak aboard the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius as health officials continue monitoring potentially exposed travelers tied to the deadly virus.
According to Hochul, the three passengers “call New York home,” with one resident from New York City and two others from Orange and Westchester counties.
The governor said it remains unclear whether the individuals will return to New York during the monitoring period or remain elsewhere while under observation.
“I believe that there’s a 42-day monitoring period and they can decide whether they want to do that in Nebraska or come back and make other accommodations,” said Hochul.
The announcement came as federal and state health authorities continue responding to concerns surrounding the outbreak involving the Andes strain of hantavirus—a rare but concerning version of the virus capable of spreading from person to person.
Health officials have confirmed that three people linked to the outbreak have died.
On Monday, 16 American passengers from the cruise ship were transported to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for observation and medical monitoring.
Hospital officials said 15 individuals were placed in a quarantine unit while another patient was transferred to a specialized biocontainment unit for additional care.
The outbreak has drawn heightened attention because the Andes strain differs from more common hantavirus infections by possessing the ability to spread between humans.
Most hantavirus strains are typically transmitted through exposure to infected rodent droppings, urine or saliva rather than through direct human contact.
There is currently no approved vaccine or cure for the virus.
Symptoms can initially resemble the flu before rapidly progressing into severe respiratory illness in some patients.
Despite the seriousness of the outbreak, Hochul attempted Monday to reassure New Yorkers that public health officials do not currently believe there is a widespread public threat.
“It’s transmitted very differently than the coronavirus, there’s no panic, no concern,” said Hochul.
Still, the governor said state officials are preparing precautionary response measures should additional action become necessary.
“This is New York, it’s a large, densely populated state and city, and I just need to do the responsible thing and prepare,” said Hochul.
