One of the 17 American passengers who were evacuated from a cruise ship in the Canary Islands has been found positive for the hantavirus, as confirmed by U.S. health officials on Sunday. Despite the positive test result, the individual is currently asymptomatic.
These passengers were airlifted from the MV Hondius vessel after it docked in Tenerife, the largest island in the Canary Islands archipelago. The chartered plane transporting them is scheduled to land in Omaha, Nebraska, early on Monday.
Upon arrival, the Americans will be taken to the University of Nebraska for evaluation to determine any potential exposure to symptomatic individuals and their risk of spreading the virus. One passenger, who tested positive for the hantavirus but remains asymptomatic, will be transferred to the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, while the rest will be assessed and monitored at the National Quarantine Unit.
The evacuation of passengers from the MV Hondius began on Sunday, with Spanish authorities organizing the process based on passengers’ nationalities and ferrying them to the port via small boats. The World Health Organization’s goal was to complete the evacuation, except for the 30 crew members staying onboard, by 7 PM on Monday.
Passengers were instructed to leave their belongings on the ship and were allowed to carry only essential items like phones and passports.
In other news, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, announced that most passengers and crew from the MV Hondius had disembarked successfully.
British citizens returning to the UK will undergo a 45-day self-isolation period and are advised against using public transportation to reach their residences. After the isolation period, public health officials will decide whether passengers can continue self-isolation at home or at another suitable location based on their living conditions.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort involving the UK, Spain, South Africa, the Netherlands, and the WHO in facilitating the safe return of passengers from the MV Hondius.
For live updates, follow our blog by clicking on the provided link.
