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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified the hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship M/V Hondius as a “Level 3" emergency response, ABC News reported on Thursday.
The Level 3 designation represents the CDC’s lowest emergency activation level. It indicates that a response team has been mobilized to support surveillance, contact tracing, and international coordination. Health officials have emphasized that the risk to the general public remains low at this stage.
The outbreak involves the Andes strain of hantavirus, a rare variant known for its potential for limited human-to-human transmission. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed five cases and three deaths among the ship's passengers, with an additional three suspected infections linked to the voyage.
The M/V Hondius, carrying approximately 150 passengers and crew members representing 23 nationalities, departed from Argentina before crossing the Atlantic Ocean. A cluster of respiratory illnesses was later identified while the vessel was sailing near Cape Verde.
Global health authorities are continuing efforts to trace passengers and monitor potential exposures across multiple countries. The ship is expected to arrive in the Canary Islands on Sunday, where further medical assessments and containment measures will be carried out.
Hantavirus is typically transmitted through exposure to infected rodents, particularly through contact with their urine, saliva, or droppings. However, the Andes strain has previously demonstrated rare instances of person-to-person transmission, prompting heightened international concern over the outbreak.
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