2 Texans were aboard the cruise ship where the hantavirus outbreak originated
Public health workers are monitoring the symptoms of two Texans who were aboard the MV Hondius, the cruise ship where an outbreak of hantavirus originated.
The Texans left the Dutch cruise ship before the outbreak was identified, according to a statement from the Department of State Health Services. They are not experiencing any symptoms and did not have contact with a sick person while aboard the cruise ship. The Texans have agreed to monitor themselves for symptoms and contact health officials if they become ill, according to DSHS.
Hantaviruses are a rare family of diseases that are usually spread through contact with wild rodent droppings or urine, according to the Department of State Health Services.
As of May 4, the outbreak on the MV Hondius has infected seven people, three of whom have died, according to the World Health Organization. Of the remaining patients, one is reporting serious illness and three have mild symptoms.
Public health experts say the risk of a pandemic remains very low at the moment.
