California monitors residents after hantavirus kills 3 on cruise ship

California is among three states monitoring residents who traveled aboard the MV Hondius after a hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship killed three people and sickened five, health officials said Wednesday.

The outbreak, which may involve person-to-person transmission, has prompted public health authorities across three states to track potentially exposed travelers. Officials said the risk to California and American residents remains low, but urged anyone with symptoms to contact local health departments.

The MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, was sailing off the coast of Africa near Cape Verde when the cluster emerged. Three passengers were medically evacuated — two of them in serious condition — and the vessel is now headed to the Canary Islands, a journey expected to take three to four days, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

More than 100 passengers remain aboard. Some travelers who had already disembarked before the outbreak was identified are being advised to self-isolate, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.

California, Arizona and Georgia are tracking residents who were on the ship. Robert Barsanti of the California Department of Public Health said in a statement that "there is no information that the California residents are ill or infected" and that "at this time, the risk to public health in California is low."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also sought to reassure the public, saying "the risk to the American public is extremely low." The World Health Organization is monitoring the health of the passengers who remain on board.

Hantavirus is typically spread through contact with infected rodents or their droppings. Health officials are investigating whether person-to-person transmission may have occurred in this outbreak.

Health authorities are urging anyone who was aboard the MV Hondius and develops symptoms — including fever, fatigue or respiratory distress — to contact their local health department immediately.