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U.S. health officials are closely monitoring a recent Andes hantavirus outbreak linked to a luxury cruise ship after three people died earlier this month. The White House and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are receiving daily updates on the situation as authorities work to prevent further spread of the deadly virus.
According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Acting Director Jay Bhattacharya, there are currently no confirmed hantavirus cases in the United States, and officials say the overall public health risk remains low. However, 41 U.S. residents are under observation for possible exposure to the Andes virus. Among them, 18 passengers had already returned to the United States before the outbreak was officially identified. These individuals are now being quarantined in Nebraska and Atlanta as a precautionary measure.
The CDC has issued updated guidance to help health agencies identify and monitor people who may have been exposed during the cruise. Dr. David Fitter, who is leading the CDC’s hantavirus response team, explained that individuals who were onboard the ship between April 6 and May 10 are considered high-risk contacts. The first known patient reportedly became ill on April 6, while the last passenger left the vessel on May 10.
Additional high-risk individuals include anyone who had close and prolonged contact with infected patients, including exposure to bodily fluids or sitting near infected travelers during flights. Health officials stressed that Andes hantavirus does not spread easily between people, unlike more contagious respiratory viruses.
The CDC recommends that high-risk contacts remain at home for six weeks, avoid unnecessary interaction with others, and immediately isolate themselves if symptoms appear. Public health experts continue monitoring the outbreak closely as concerns grow over the government’s initial response and broader preparedness for emerging infectious diseases in 2026.
