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Hantavirus Cruise Ship Anchors Off Tenerife as Repatriation Flights Begin

Health officials say the public risk is low due to the virus’s need for prolonged close contact.

Overview

  • The MV Hondius, which arrived off Tenerife on Sunday, started evacuations that flew 94 people home with more flights set for Monday.
  • WHO counts six confirmed infections out of eight cases and three deaths linked to the cruise, all involving the Andes hantavirus strain.
  • Passengers are moved by small boats to sealed buses and then to nationality-based flights, with Spanish citizens quarantined at a military hospital.
  • Seventeen Americans are headed to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for assessment and 42 days of monitoring under CDC plans.
  • After repatriations, about 30 crew and a deceased passenger’s body will remain aboard as the ship sails to the Netherlands for disinfection.