US and French Passengers From Cruise Ship Test Positive for Hantavirus
Health authorities have confirmed that an American passenger and a French national evacuated from the cruise ship MV Hondius have tested positive for hantavirus following an outbreak linked to the vessel.
According to French Health Minister Stephanie Rist, one French passenger who was flown to Paris and placed in isolation began experiencing symptoms shortly after arrival, and medical tests later confirmed the infection.
US health officials also reported that one American passenger showed mild symptoms, while another tested positive for the Andes virus strain, which is considered capable of human-to-human transmission.
The outbreak has been linked to several illnesses among passengers aboard the cruise ship, which departed from Ushuaia in April. Authorities have confirmed that three passengers, including a Dutch couple and a German national, died during the outbreak.
Health experts say hantavirus is generally associated with rodents, and there are currently no specific vaccines or approved antiviral treatments available for the disease.
Officials from multiple countries are continuing contact tracing efforts and monitoring passengers who travelled on the ship or came into contact with infected individuals.
More than 90 passengers and crew members representing multiple nationalities were evacuated from the vessel in Tenerife as part of an international repatriation operation.
The World Health Organization has stated that the overall global public health risk remains low. However, health authorities in several countries have introduced precautionary monitoring and quarantine measures for returning passengers.
Countries including Australia, United Kingdom, Greece, and Spain are coordinating medical observation procedures for evacuees.
The cruise ship is expected to continue its journey after refueling, with a limited number of crew members remaining on board.
