Cruise Quarantine: U.S. Passengers Monitored for Hantavirus

Eighteen passengers from a luxury cruise ship affected by a hantavirus outbreak have been flown back to the U.S. for quarantine, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. One passenger tested positive and is currently in a biocontainment unit in Nebraska.

The luxury expedition cruise ship, named MV Hondius, experienced an outbreak of the Andes virus, a type of hantavirus that can spread from person to person, though the risk is low, according to officials. Hantavirus is typically transmitted by wild rodents.

Passengers' ages ranged from their late 20s to early 80s, and authorities indicate they might be under observation for up to 42 days. Among the group are 17 U.S. citizens and one British dual national returning to the U.S.

(With inputs from agencies.)