3 New Yorkers Were On Hantavirus-Infected Cruise Ship, Health Officials Say

NEW YORK CITY — Three New Yorkers, including one from New York City were aboard the cruise ship that has been dealing with a hantavirus outbreak.

The three New York residents arrived at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska where they will undergo an 42-day monitoring period, according to Governor Kathy Hochul.

In total, 18 Americans have been flown to Nebraska after being exposed on the MV Hondius cruise ship.

We don’t know whether those individuals will be returning to New York,” Hochul said on Monday. “I believe that there is a 42-day monitoring period, and they can decide whether they want to do that in Nebraska, or come back and make other accommodations.”

New York City Health Commissioner Alister Martin said the risk to New Yorkers remains extremely low.

"The NYC Health Department is working in close coordination with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the New York State Department of Health, and other local health departments to monitor the situation," she said.

According to health officials, hantavirus does not spread like COVID-19 or influenza.