This article covers the latest on the Andes hantavirus exposure linked to the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius. Five Californians have been exposed so far, and outbreak/”>local public health agencies are responding.
From San Rafael to Novato, Mill Valley to Sausalito, Marin County communities are watching closely. Public health teams across the Bay Area are working with state and federal partners.
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Overview of the MV Hondius Andes hantavirus Exposure
Health officials have now counted five Californians exposed to the Andes hantavirus from the Hondius. The World Health Organization says there are 11 confirmed cases among Hondius passengers, with three deaths.
Incubation can last up to six weeks, which makes tracking cases and organizing a response pretty challenging.
Where Exposed Californians Are Now
Two of the exposed Californians are in quarantine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. The other two are being monitored in Santa Clara and Sacramento counties, with local public health officials staying in the loop.
The fifth traveler left the Hondius before anyone realized there was an outbreak, came back to California for a bit, and is now in the Pitcairn Islands. Health officials from the CDC and British authorities are keeping tabs on them there.
What This Means for Marin County Residents
For people in Marin—San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley, Sausalito, Tiburon, Corte Madera, Larkspur, Fairfax—this case is a reminder that Bay Area health networks are keeping an eye on hantavirus exposures, even outside the ship. Transmission in the community is still rare, but it’s a good time for travelers and outdoor folks to remember: rodent droppings can be risky if disturbed in sheds, remote cabins, hillside homes, or bluffs around the Marin headlands.
- Watch for symptoms like fever, muscle aches, coughing, shortness of breath, or fatigue in the weeks after possible exposure.
- If you think you’ve had contact with someone from the Hondius, reach out to your doctor or Marin County Public Health.
- Keep monitoring for up to six weeks after any possible exposure, especially if you’ve recently visited ports where cases were reported.
- If symptoms get worse, seek medical care and let your provider know about potential hantavirus exposure.
- Try to keep rodents out by sealing up openings, getting rid of food sources, and cleaning droppings with a damp cloth (don’t sweep).
- Ventilate and avoid stirring up dust in garages, sheds, or basements where rodents might nest.
Timeline and Context
The Hondius left Argentina on April 1. The first passengers who got sick died onboard by April 11.
Officials didn’t identify the outbreak until May 2. Since hantavirus incubation can last up to six weeks, some exposures might not show up until late May or even June.
People in Marin who recently went on cruises or live near waterfronts in Sausalito or Tiburon should keep up with updates. Health authorities are still refining their monitoring efforts.
Local Resources and Where to Get More Information
Marin residents can check updates from the California Department of Public Health and the CDC. Local hospitals in San Rafael, Mill Valley, and nearby towns offer testing and advice for anyone worried about possible exposure.
Marin Health and Human Services also shares public advisories. Honestly, if you’re unsure what to do, it’s worth reaching out for guidance.
- California Department of Public Health hantavirus information
- CDC hantavirus information and travel advisories
- Marin County Public Health hotline for exposure questions
Here is the source article for this story: Another Californian was exposed to hantavirus on cruise ship
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