Hantavirus Outbreak: US Passenger Tests Positive After Cruise Ship Evacuation

A US passenger evacuated from the hantavirus-hit MV Hondius cruise ship has tested positive for the virus, American health officials confirmed on Sunday, with the update that the passenger has not yet shown any symptoms. The infected American, one of 17 US citizens evacuated from the ship, will be transferred to the Nebraska Biocontainment unit upon arrival in Omaha.

The MV Hondius cruise ship, which arrived in Tenerife, Spain, on Sunday, was the site of a deadly hantavirus outbreak that left three people dead and at least five more passengers infected. Over 140 passengers from more than 20 countries were present during the emergency evacuation.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reassured that the outbreak does not pose a major threat to the public, with Director-General Tedros Adhanom stating that the risk to the public is low and people should not panic. Health experts say the Hanta virus mainly spreads through exposure to contaminated rodent droppings and is not easily transmitted between humans.

The WHO has advised countries receiving passengers to conduct active daily health monitoring and quarantine measures, with several countries already imposing strict isolation protocols lasting up to six weeks. The court or relevant health authorities are expected to provide further updates on the situation in the coming days, with the US passenger's condition being closely monitored.