What is happening with the hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship, and how are U.S. health officials responding?

WHO and other authorities have been coordinating medical evacuations; two confirmed patients and one suspected patient were evacuated, and the ship reportedly headed toward Spain’s Canary Islands after leaving Cape Verde .

ABC News reported that the number of suspected cases aboard the ship had risen to five, while more than 100 passengers remained on the MV Hondius under monitoring .

CDC issued a May 6 statement saying the U.S. administration is “closely monitoring” U.S. travelers aboard the MV Hondius and that its top priority is protecting U.S. citizens .

State health officials are monitoring some U.S. residents who returned from the ship, including two Georgia residents; reports say they were not showing symptoms at the time of monitoring .

CDC notes hantavirus disease is nationally notifiable in the U.S., meaning cases are reported through public-health surveillance systems .

Key uncertainty: public reports differ on exact case counts and whether all cases are confirmed versus suspected, so the most reliable current framing is that there are confirmed cases, several suspected/ill people, and three reported deaths .