A total of 41 people across the United States are under monitoring for hantavirus in connection to the deadly outbreak that killed three passengers on the MV Hondius cruise ship, officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said during a May 14 briefing.
The 41 people come from three main groups, Dr. David Fitter, incident manager for CDC’s hantavirus response, said in the briefing:
Fitter confirmed the symptomatic individual noted in the third group was on a flight from Saint Helena to Johannesburg. The World Health Organization previously confirmed this case.
Though the CDC recommends people do not travel during the 42-day monitoring period, Fitter addressed why the department is "not using our federal quarantining authority on people" to mandate quarantines.
"Our approach is based on risk and evidence. We are working closely with passengers and public health partners to ensure monitoring and rapid access to care if symptoms develop," he said.
