US Alarmed as American Passenger Tests Positive for Hantavirus After Evacuating from MV Hondius Cruise Ship

US officials confirmed that one American passenger tested positive for hantavirus, and another showed mild illness after evacuating from the MV Hondius cruise ship, where a virus outbreak caused three deaths.

The US Department of Health and Human Services stated that the two passengers returning to the US on a government-chartered flight were transported separately in a bio-containment unit to minimize risk. Currently, all 17 American passengers on that flight are being evaluated and screened further at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

This incident occurred after the MV Hondius cruise ship, docked at Spain's Canary Islands, experienced a hantavirus outbreak among passengers. Over 90 passengers have now been repatriated.

Three deaths have been reported: a Dutch married couple and a German woman, with at least two confirmed to have contracted hantavirus.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, warned that the US’s failure to follow WHO guidelines could jeopardize disease control efforts.

However, Dr. Jay Butler, acting director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stated there is no need for public panic, as hantavirus transmission between humans is rare and should not be compared to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The current situation in various countries is as follows:

• France confirmed a French woman infected with hantavirus who is under quarantine in Paris and whose condition is worsening.
• The UK quarantined 20 citizens at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral for 72 hours, although no symptoms have been reported.
• Spain mandated quarantine for 14 citizens repatriated to Madrid, who are being held in a military hospital.
• The Netherlands repatriated 26 passengers and crew members on a flight back to the country.
• Australia is preparing to repatriate six passengers with additional monitoring measures in place.

Source:BBC

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