The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Wednesday it is monitoring U.S. travelers who were aboard the MV Hondius, a luxury cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak that has killed three people and left eight others suspected of infection. The deceased include a Dutch couple and a German national, with one suspected case involving a Swiss citizen, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Hantavirus is typically spread through contact with infected rodents, and human-to-human transmission is rare. The CDC stated the risk to the American public is 'extremely low' and emphasized that the Department of State is leading a coordinated government response involving direct contact with passengers and collaboration with domestic and international health agencies.

U.S. health officials are monitoring individuals in Georgia, California, and Arizona who were on the ship; none have shown symptoms. Georgia is tracking two residents, California is monitoring an undisclosed number, and Arizona confirmed it is observing one asymptomatic individual. State health departments in Georgia and California did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The CDC and state health authorities continue to assess the situation, with no new cases reported among U.S. travelers as of Wednesday. The agency will provide updates as the investigation progresses.