People in at least three US states were being monitored for potential hantavirus infections after a luxury cruise ship was hit by an outbreak, though none of the people being monitored has shown signs of illness, the New York Times reported.
In its latest update, the World Health Organisation said three people died aboard the MV Hondius ship, and a few others showed symptoms.
The report on Wednesday cited the Georgia Department of Public Health, which said in a statement that it is monitoring two residents, both of whom are in good health with no signs of infection.
The California Department of Public Health was also notified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that state residents were also aboard the ship, and that the agency is assisting local authorities with monitoring, the report added.
Another passenger is an Arizona resident and is being monitored without showing symptoms, a state official said.
US monitoring travellers
The CDC also said the US is monitoring travellers.
"The Department of State is leading a coordinated, whole-of-government response including direct contact with passengers, diplomatic coordination, and engagement with domestic and international health authorities," the CDC said in a statement.
"We are working closely with our international partners to provide technical assistance and guidance to mitigate risk," the CDC said, adding that the risk to the American public is "extremely low."
According to the CDC, hantavirus can infect people through contact with rodents, especially when exposed to their urine and saliva, and human-to-human transmission is uncommon.
