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Hantavirus kills three on Dutch cruise, sparks CDC cut criticism

5/8/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A hantavirus outbreak on Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius killed three passengers and infected five, reviving criticism of President Donald Trump’s 2025 CDC Vessel Sanitation cuts.
In 2025 the CDC cut most program staff, leaving twelve officers and one trainee, yet later claimed the program was fully staffed.
WHO epidemic-preparedness chief Maria Van Kerkhove said the incident does not signal the start of an epidemic or pandemic.

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Story summary

A hantavirus outbreak on Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius killed three passengers and infected five, reviving criticism of President Donald Trump’s 2025 CDC Vessel Sanitation cuts.
In 2025 the CDC cut most program staff, leaving twelve officers and one trainee, yet later claimed the program was fully staffed.
WHO epidemic-preparedness chief Maria Van Kerkhove said the incident does not signal the start of an epidemic or pandemic.