00:00A deadly hantavirus outbreak aboard an Atlantic Ocean cruise ship has killed three people
00:04and triggered an emergency CDC response, and U.S. passengers are among those affected.
00:11The outbreak, confirmed aboard the M.V. Hondias, is caused by the Andes virus,
00:16a particularly dangerous strain of hantavirus because unlike most versions of the disease,
00:22it can spread from person to person. The WHO has confirmed eight cases so far,
00:27with three deaths, and U.S. passengers from the ship are being transported to a specialized
00:32medical facility in Nebraska for evaluation. The CDC says the current risk of broad spread
00:39within the United States is extremely low. Hantavirus does not spread easily,
00:44and the Andes virus requires close contact to transmit. But public health officials are alerting
00:49hospitals and clinics nationwide to watch for any patients who recently traveled on the affected
00:55route showing symptoms—fever, muscle aches, and rapidly progressive respiratory failure.
01:01Any American who was aboard or near the ship should contact their doctor immediately.
01:06Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome kills roughly 30 to 40 percent of those infected,
01:11making early detection critical.
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