CDC Declares Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship Level 3 Emergency

JAKARTA - The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has designated the hantavirus outbreak as a level 3 emergency response or the lowest level of emergency activation.

According to an ABC News report, the move shows that the risk to the general public is still low, but the situation is still actively monitored by health authorities.

The activation of the emergency operations center indicates the formation of a special team to support the handling of the outbreak.

As reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Friday, May 8, global health authorities are currently trying to suppress the spread of hantavirus on the MV Hondius cruise ship.

World Health Organization (WHO) officials said the outbreak involving the Andes variant of hantavirus had led to five confirmed cases, three suspected infections, and three deaths among passengers associated with the cruise.

The MV Hondius was carrying around 150 passengers and crew from 23 countries. The ship departed from Argentina and crossed the Atlantic Ocean before reporting a number of respiratory illnesses while sailing near Cape Verde.