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4 CA residents known to be potentially exposed to hantavirus

Cruise Ship MV Hondius Docks In Tenerife
TENERIFE, SPAIN - MAY 11: Medical staff direct some of the last passengers to be evacuated from the MV Hondius on May 11, 2026 in Tenerife, part of the Canary Islands, Spain. The cruise ship MV Hondius, which had three passengers die from Hantavirus last month and eight more reported cases, docked in Tenerife on May 10th, where the remaining passengers are being repatriated to their respective countries. At a press conference this week, representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasized the outbreak of this rare virus did not constitute a pandemic, but it has stirred anxieties in the Canary Islands and elsewhere.
Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images

A total of four California residents are now known to be potentially exposed to hantavirus. None have come down with symptoms.

The state health department said two are in the group quarantining and being evaluated in Nebraska, while the other two have come back to Northern California.


“One California resident who has returned was a passenger on the ship, and the other one was exposed very briefly on a flight with an ill case,” State health secretary Dr. Erica Pan said. “Both of them are being monitored by their local health departments at home, and they're doing modified activities in alignment with our Centers for Disease Control guidance as well. So, they are limiting activities outside the home. They're doing daily temperatures and in contact with their local health departments.”

Dr. Pan said the CDC guidelines don't recommend full isolation because there have been no known cases of people transmitting this virus when they don't have symptoms, but they're being told to avoid large gatherings, and not share a bed or household items with others.

She added that it's not clear when the two will be allowed to come back to California from Nebraska, but says it won't be on a commercial flight.

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