Richard L. Smith
The New Jersey Department of Health announced Friday that two New Jersey residents are being monitored for possible hantavirus exposure connected to an outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius.
According to officials, the individuals were potentially exposed to a person infected with hantavirus during international air travel after the infected person departed the cruise ship.
The New Jersey residents were not passengers aboard the vessel.
Health officials said neither person is currently showing symptoms associated with hantavirus, and no confirmed cases have been identified in New Jersey.
“As of May 8, 2026, the risk to the general public remains very low,” NJDOH officials stated.
The Department is coordinating with local health agencies and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor the travelers as a precaution. Due to privacy concerns, officials are not releasing identifying information or locations tied to the individuals.
Hantaviruses found in the United States are typically spread through rodents and are not known to spread from person to person. 
However, the Andes virus strain connected to the MV Hondius outbreak, found in South America, is the only known hantavirus capable of limited person-to-person transmission.
Health experts say transmission is rare and usually requires close, prolonged contact with an infected person or exposure to bodily fluids. The incubation period can range from four to 42 days, and asymptomatic individuals are not considered contagious.
Officials emphasized that New Jersey has never had a confirmed hantavirus case reported in the state.
Public health agencies in several other states are also monitoring returning travelers tied to the cruise.
Authorities said the situation remains under investigation and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.