Mapping the hantavirus outbreak as cruise ship passengers return to US

Summary: Imagine going on a relaxing vacation and ending up in a military quarantine! That is exactly what happened to passengers on the MV Hondius cruise ship. An outbreak of the Andes variant of the hantavirus forced 94 people to be evacuated while anchored near Spain.

Eighteen Americans were flown on a government plane to a military base in Omaha, Nebraska, while two others were taken to a special hospital in Atlanta. So far, the World Health Organization reports 11 cases and three deaths linked to the ship. U.S. health officials, including Dr. Mehmet Oz and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., say the situation is completely under control and there is no need to worry. However, scientists warn that these types of diseases, which jump from animals to humans, are becoming more common.

For more details, see USA TODAY at usatoday.com/story/graphics/2026/05/11/map-of-hantavirus-outbreak-cruise-ship-us/90032050007/ (opens in new tab)