A hantavirus outbreak tied to an Antarctic cruise ship has left41 people under monitoring in the United States, but federal health officials say the risk to the public remains 'very low.'

The concern centres on the Andes virus, a rare hantavirus strain capable of limited person-to-person spread. Most of those being monitored were passengers aboard the MV Hondius expedition cruise, where several illnesses and deaths were reported after the ship returned from South America.

The CDC says there are currently no confirmed US cases linked to the incident, though health teams across multiple states remain on alert.

TheUS Centers for Disease Control and Preventionconfirmed Wednesday that more than 100 staff members are involved in monitoring and response efforts connected to the MV Hondius outbreak.

Of the 41 people under observation in the US, 18 cruise passengers were transported to specialised quarantine facilities in Nebraska and Atlanta after possible exposure to the Andes virus. Officials said one traveller initially flagged as a possible positive case was later medically cleared and moved into standard quarantine with the others.

The CDC stressed that this is not a widespread US hantavirus outbreak. The monitoring effort is precautionary because the Andes strain, unlike most hantaviruses, has shownrare cases of human-to-human transmissionthrough prolonged, close contact.

The Dutch-flagged expedition ship departed Ushuaia, Argentina, in April and carried passengers through Antarctica and South Georgia Island. Investigators believe the first infection may have originated from rodent exposure in South America before spreading among close contacts aboard the vessel.

TheWorld Health Organizationhas reported multiple confirmed and suspected cases connected to the cruise, including several deaths overseas. Most passengers have since returned home, while health agencies continue tracing contacts and monitoring symptoms.

Passengers under observation in the US are spread across multiple states, including California, Texas, Georgia, New Jersey and Washington.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome can begin with flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle aches and nausea before progressing to severe breathing problems.

Source: International Business Times UK