4 Californians exposed to Hantavirus being monitored by officials after 3 exposed on MV Hondius

Four Californians exposed to the deadly Hantavirus outbreak linked to a Dutch cruise ship are being monitored by health officials — including one Bay Area resident who was aboard the vessel before the illness was detected.The California Department of Public Health said on Monday it is coordinating with the CDC and local health officials after three California residents were identified as passengers on the MV Hondius, where an outbreak of Andes Hantavirus has killed three people.A fourth Californian was exposed while sitting near a returning cruise passenger on an international flight, CDPH said.State officials stressed the risk to the public remains “extremely low.”Two of the Californians have already returned home and are being monitored by local public health officials, according to CDPH.The other two were transported by federal authorities to a secure medical facility in Nebraska and are expected to return to California once health assessments are completed and safety arrangements are in place.“We understand public concern about this unusual outbreak,” Dr.

Erica Pan, California’s state public health officer and CDPH director, said in a statement.“Decades of experience in South America have shown that this Andes Hantavirus rarely spreads between people.We continue to work with federal health officials to monitor the health of potentially exposed individuals and prepare for our Californians to come home.” California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.

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Never miss a story One of the exposed Californians is a Santa Clara County resident who has been aboard the MV Hondius but got off the ship before the outbreak was detected, NBC Bay Area reported.The South Bay Area resident is at home, feeling well and showing no symptoms, according to Santa Clara County health officia...