During a briefing on May 14, the CDC announced that 41 individuals nationwide are currently under surveillance for the Andes hantavirus due to the outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship, an increase from the previously reported 18 cases. This larger group consists of passengers who have recently been repatriated to facilities in Nebraska and Atlanta, those who traveled home prior to the outbreak being recognized, and individuals who may have been exposed on flights with a symptomatic patient. The World Health Organization is convening an emergency scientific meeting on May 15 to formulate medical countermeasures for the Andes virus, for which there are currently no approved treatments or vaccines available.
