State of Maryland Monitors Two Residents After Hantavirus Exposure Linked to Cruise Ship
State of MD - The Maryland Department of Health is keeping a close eye on two Maryland residents after they had potential contact with a passenger from the M/V Hondius cruise ship who was infected with hantavirus. Health officials say this is being done out of an abundance of caution. The risk to the public in Maryland remains very low at this time.
The two residents were not passengers on the cruise ship. Their potential exposure happened during air travel abroad, not on the vessel itself. The Maryland Department of Health is not releasing any personal information about the two individuals in order to protect their privacy.
Hantaviruses are a family of viruses carried by rodents. Cases are known to occur in the United States and other parts of the world. The strain connected to the M/V Hondius outbreak is known as the Andes virus, which is found in South America.
The Andes virus is the only known hantavirus that can spread from person to person. Even so, that kind of transmission is rare and typically requires close, prolonged contact with someone who is infected or with their bodily fluids. People who are not showing symptoms are not considered contagious. The incubation period for the virus ranges from four to 42 days.
Maryland has not had a confirmed hantavirus case since 2019. The Andes virus has never been reported in the state. Health officials are working across all levels of government and with medical facilities that specialize in treating rare and emerging diseases.
The M/V Hondius outbreak has drawn international attention since it began in early April 2026. Three deaths have been linked to hantavirus since the vessel departed Argentina. The WHO chief has stressed the virus is "not another Covid-19" and that the risk to the public remains low.
This is an ongoing public health situation and details may change as more information becomes available. Residents are encouraged to check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the latest updates on the outbreak and the M/V Hondius.
