India, May 7 -- Health authorities are monitoring dozens of cruise ship passengers after a hantavirus scare. At least 23 individuals who may have been exposed are now returning to their home countries, including the US.

The alarming development comes as global health authorities continue tracking a growing outbreak linked to the expedition vessel MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions.

The outbreak has already resulted in multiple deaths and several confirmed or suspected infections from a rare strain of hantavirus, which WHO says is capable of human-to-human transmission.

The 23 passengers who disembarked from the virus-stricken cruise ship MV Hondius have already returned to countries including the United States, Australia, Ta...