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Three suspected #hantavirus case patients have just been evacuated from the ship and are on their way to receive medical care in the Netherlands in coordination with @WHO, the ship’s operator and national authorities from Cabo Verde, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands. WHO continues to work with the ship’s operators to closely monitor the health of passengers and crew, working with countries to support appropriate medical follow-up and evacuation where needed. Monitoring and follow-up for passengers on board and for those who have already disembarked has been initiated in collaboration with the ship’s operators and national health authorities. WHO thanks all those involved. At this stage, the overall public health risk remains low.






Dr. Jay Bhattacharya: Our hearts go out to the passengers aboard the cruise ship M/V Hondius and their families during this difficult time. Our CDC team began coordinating with domestic and international partners as soon as we were notified of a hantavirus situation. We understand that people are concerned and looking for information and that is why we provided clear, written health guidance to the American passengers through the State Department. The safety and health of the affected American travelers is our number one goal. Hantavirus is not spread by people without symptoms, transmission requires close contact, and the risk to the American public is very low. CDC has the world’s leading experts on hantavirus and is lending its technical expertise when coordinating with interagency partners, state health offices, and international authorities on response and repatriation planning. We will be monitoring the health status and preparing medical support for all of the American passengers on the cruise. CDC will continue to update as more information becomes available and remains committed to protecting the health and safety of the American public.






