Two New Hampshire residents were on a cruise ship that was hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak, state health officials confirmed Monday.The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services said that two individuals with New Hampshire addresses were on the MV Hondius cruise ship.Officials said the two people have returned to the United States but are not in New Hampshire at this time. State health officials said they were coordinating with federal officials to ensure that monitoring would be in place if the individuals return to the state.>> Timeline: Hantavirus outbreak on Dutch cruise shop MV Hondius”There is currently no risk from cruise ship travelers in New Hampshire because, to our knowledge, nobody from the cruise ship is currently in New Hampshire,” said Dr. Benjamin Chan, the state epidemiologist. “We are preparing to make sure that we can appropriately bring them back to New Hampshire safely … and monitor their health.”>> Alert: See notification sent to New Hampshire health providersDHHS said there is no current health risk to residents. Chan said he believes the two people are in Nebraska, undergoing evaluation, though two people were also transported to Georgia. “We don’t know much about whether or not they’re related in any way. We don’t know if they’re having symptoms or not. We don’t know even if New Hampshire is their confirmed, permanent place of residence. We don’t know if they will be coming back to New Hampshire,” Chan said. Three people have died in connection with the outbreak, and six people with confirmed or suspected cases of hantavirus are being quarantined, according to the World Health Organization.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go <> How rare is hantavirus in humans? Tracking data since 1993Several days after the onset of initial symptoms, people can develop a severe illness that affects the lungs called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which causes cough, chest tightness and difficulty breathing. The disease can be fatal. There is no specific treatment available, and care focuses on supporting the person through their illness. Chan said one person in New Hampshire died of hantavirus in 2019. That case was connected to travel. While it can be scary after a global pandemic, Dr. Brett Sweeney, medical director at the Southern New Hampshire Medical Center emergency department, said there’s no cause for concern. “I think we’ve learned from, you know, our COVID-19 experience that, you know, fear and panic can grow very quickly,” Sweeney said. “I think this is a very different situation. So I would encourage people, just to be vigilant, you know, be on the lookout for updates.”>> Why are cruise ship passengers being taken to Nebraska?

CONCORD, N.H. —

Two New Hampshire residents were on a cruise ship that was hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak, state health officials confirmed Monday.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services said that two individuals with New Hampshire addresses were on the MV Hondius cruise ship.

Officials said the two people have returned to the United States but are not in New Hampshire at this time. State health officials said they were coordinating with federal officials to ensure that monitoring would be in place if the individuals return to the state.

>> Timeline: Hantavirus outbreak on Dutch cruise shop MV Hondius

“There is currently no risk from cruise ship travelers in New Hampshire because, to our knowledge, nobody from the cruise ship is currently in New Hampshire,” said Dr. Benjamin Chan, the state epidemiologist. “We are preparing to make sure that we can appropriately bring them back to New Hampshire safely … and monitor their health.”

>> Alert: See notification sent to New Hampshire health providers

DHHS said there is no current health risk to residents. Chan said he believes the two people are in Nebraska, undergoing evaluation, though two people were also transported to Georgia.

“We don’t know much about whether or not they’re related in any way. We don’t know if they’re having symptoms or not. We don’t know even if New Hampshire is their confirmed, permanent place of residence. We don’t know if they will be coming back to New Hampshire,” Chan said.

Three people have died in connection with the outbreak, and six people with confirmed or suspected cases of hantavirus are being quarantined, according to the World Health Organization.

>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go <<

Health officials said the risk from hantavirus is low. Hantaviruses are typically spread through contact with wild rodent droppings, urine and saliva, but the specific virus associated with the outbreak, the Andes virus, can spread between people who are in close, prolonged contact with each other.

Symptoms of Andes virus infection usually begin within four to 42 days after an exposure. Early symptoms can include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

>> How rare is hantavirus in humans? Tracking data since 1993

Several days after the onset of initial symptoms, people can develop a severe illness that affects the lungs called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which causes cough, chest tightness and difficulty breathing. The disease can be fatal.

There is no specific treatment available, and care focuses on supporting the person through their illness.

Chan said one person in New Hampshire died of hantavirus in 2019. That case was connected to travel.

While it can be scary after a global pandemic, Dr. Brett Sweeney, medical director at the Southern New Hampshire Medical Center emergency department, said there’s no cause for concern.

“I think we’ve learned from, you know, our COVID-19 experience that, you know, fear and panic can grow very quickly,” Sweeney said. “I think this is a very different situation. So I would encourage people, just to be vigilant, you know, be on the lookout for updates.”

>> Why are cruise ship passengers being taken to Nebraska?