Evacuated cruise passenger tests positive for hantavirus – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
Passengers from the MV Hondius have begun returning to their home countries after the cruise ship reached Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Health officials report that one American traveler has tested positive for hantavirus without displaying symptoms, while a French passenger developed signs of illness during the flight home. These developments come after three deaths linked to the virus on board and have prompted strict isolation measures for those affected.
American Group Heads to Specialized Facilities in Nebraska
The 17 American passengers evacuated from the ship are scheduled to arrive in Omaha on a government flight. Upon landing, they will undergo evaluation at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, which operates a federally funded quarantine unit. One individual who tested positive will be moved directly to the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit for further care, while the remaining passengers will enter the National Quarantine Unit for assessment of exposure risks and monitoring.
Officials emphasize that the positive test occurred without any current symptoms, yet the precautionary steps reflect the virus’s potential for serious complications. All evacuees were removed from the vessel under full protective protocols, including body suits and masks, before boarding their return aircraft.
French Passengers Placed in Isolation Following In-Flight Symptoms
Among the five French travelers on a separate flight, one developed symptoms en route to Paris. French authorities responded immediately by placing the entire group under strict isolation upon arrival. Testing is now underway to confirm the nature of the illness and determine any further spread within the group.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed the situation in an official statement, underscoring the coordinated response between health services and aviation teams. The measures mirror those applied to other nationalities and aim to contain any potential transmission during the final stages of repatriation.
Plans Advance for Australian and Spanish Evacuees
The four Australian passengers will land in Perth on a charter flight and transfer to the NSW Biocontainment Centre at Westmead Hospital in Sydney. NSW Health has outlined a detailed monitoring program that includes close observation and immediate assessment by infectious disease specialists if symptoms appear. The facility, opened in 2023, is designed specifically for rare and highly contagious conditions.
Spanish passengers were the first to depart, arriving in Madrid and moving to a military hospital for evaluation. Across all groups, authorities have stressed that the overall public risk remains low, provided the quarantine and testing protocols continue without interruption.
Key points on the response:
- One asymptomatic positive case among Americans, with others under observation.
- French group isolated after one developed symptoms mid-flight.
- Australians directed to a dedicated biocontainment unit upon arrival.
- Protective gear used during all shore transfers from the ship.
Health agencies from multiple countries continue to coordinate as the remaining passengers complete their journeys. The focus remains on thorough assessment and containment to prevent further cases.
