Exactly How Many People Are Being Monitored For Hantavirus In The US - It’s WAY More Than We Thought!

All passengers may be off the MV Hondius now, but that doesn’t mean we’re in the clear of hantavirus.

Following the news that all passengers have now evacuated the infamous cruise ship where hantavirus broke out, speculation is in the air regarding next steps. For the most part, these passengers aren’t quarantining in medical facilities… They just went home with the recommendation from the World Health Organization to begin a 42-day quarantine on their own will. We heard six Americans deboarded on April 24 during a stop, and another 17 during the evacuation efforts. But the real number of US citizens now being monitored for hantavirus symptoms is much higher!

According to the CDC, 41 individuals across the US are having an eye kept on them in the wake of the deadly disease, which has claimed the lives of three people. During a briefing on Thursday, Dr. David Fitter, the CDC’s hantavirus response and incident manager, revealed the amount of people currently being monitored is made up of 16 individuals who were potentially exposed during travel, seven individuals who deboarded the cruise prior to the outbreak being identified, and a scary 18 individuals who have been repatriated to medical centers in Nebraska and Georgia.

Whoa!!!

States with individuals who may have been exposed include Washington, California, Arizona, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, Minnesota, Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, Maryland, and New Jersey.

During the briefing, Fitter reiterated that the CDC is “not using our federal quarantining authority on people” to mandate the 42-day quarantine window:

“Our approach is based on risk and evidence. We are working closely with passengers and public health partners to ensure monitoring and rapid access to care if symptoms develop.”

We certainly hope symptoms DON’T develop! And those who were aboard the ship stay home for now!!!

What are YOUR thoughts here, Perezcious readers? Be sure to let us know in the comments down below.

[Image created for PerezHilton.com]