Passengers aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius have now been evacuated following the serious hantavirus outbreak. On Sunday, passengers began being flown home from Tenerife on military and government-chartered flights.
The evacuation was carried out under strict safety measures. Passengers were escorted ashore by crew members wearing full-body protective suits and respirators, while many passengers were also seen wearing protective gear.
The operation involves travelers from more than 20 countries and is expected to continue for several days. Spanish passengers were the first to leave the ship and were flown to Madrid, while French travelers were transported to Paris, where medical personnel were waiting on arrival.
Meanwhile, an American passenger on board has tested positive for hantavirus.
American passenger tested positive for hantavirus
There are 17 U.S. citizens aboard the ship who are now returning to the United States. As of Sunday, at least one passenger had tested positive for hantavirus, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The infected passenger will be transported to the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit upon arrival in the U.S., ABC News reports.
Despite the dramatic evacuation, the World Health Organization (WHO) says the risk to the general public remains low. The virus does not typically spread easily between people, although the variant identified in this case can, in rare instances, be transmitted between humans.
Passengers will now be closely monitored in their home countries, with several nations planning quarantines and additional health screenings in the coming weeks.
