Oregonian returns home after cruise ship hantavirus exposure
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PORTLAND – Local and state public health officials are monitoring an Oregon resident who has returned this week from a Nebraska quarantine facility. The person stayed there after disembarking from the cruise ship MV Hondius.
On the ship there was an outbreak of the Andes strain of hantavirus which departed Argentina on April 1. The individual has been in quarantine since May 10 and has exhibited no symptoms. The quarantine will continue at home until June 21.
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is collaborating closely with federal and local partners including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That collaboration included implementing guidelines for the safe return of any Oregon passenger to the state.
OHA issued a reminder that the risk of infection with Andes virus in Oregon remains extremely low and the agency says it has no concerns of transmission to the general public. The virus is found primarily in Argentina and Chile and is carried by rodents. It is the only hantavirus that is known to spread among humans. The CDC says it requires close and prolonged contact with an infected person to spread.
Editor’s note: OHA is required to protect the identity of the individual. However, some media is reporting he is a semi-retired physician from Bend.
Illustration from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
