MV Hondius passenger assessments constructive for hantavirus

One of many 17 Individuals evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship in Tenerife, Canary Islands, has examined constructive for hantavirus however just isn’t displaying signs

A group of individuals dressed in personal protective equipment, including masks and gloves, are walking together in an outdoor

Passengers carry their belongings in plastic baggage after being evacuated from the MV Hondius (Picture: Getty Photographs)

One of many 17 American passengers evacuated from a cruise ship within the Canary Islands has examined constructive for the hantavirus however just isn’t displaying any signs, US well being officers confirmed late on Sunday.

The constitution flight was carrying 17 Individuals who had been evacuated from the MV Hondius following its arrival in Tenerife, the most important island within the Spanish archipelago located off the West African coast. The plane was anticipated to the touch down in Omaha, Nebraska, within the early hours of Monday.

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The Individuals have been to be initially flown to the College of Nebraska, which operates a federally funded quarantine facility, with the intention to decide whether or not they had been in shut contact with any symptomatic people and to guage their threat of transmitting the virus.

“One passenger can be transported to the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit upon arrival, whereas different passengers will go to the Nationwide Quarantine Unit for evaluation and monitoring. The passenger who’s going to the Biocontainment Unit examined constructive for the virus however doesn’t have signs,” mentioned Kayla Thomas, a spokesperson for The Nebraska Medical Middle.

The MV Hondius docked in Tenerife on Sunday morning, with Spanish authorities starting the evacuation of the cruise liner by nationality, ferrying passengers to port aboard smaller vessels.

The World Well being Organisation (WHO) said its objective was to finish the complete evacuation of the ship, apart from 30 crew members remaining on board, by 7pm on Monday.

Travellers have been instructed to depart their belongings on board and have been solely allowed to hold a small bag containing important objects reminiscent of their cellphone and passport.

Director-Common of the World Well being Group Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed late final night time on X: “Most passengers and crew of the MV Hondius cruise ship efficiently disembarked at present.”

Screen grab from PA Video of coaches arriving at Arrowe Park Hospital on Merseyside, where passengers that have been repatriated

TOPSHOT - An aerial view of an ambulance boat carrying crew members wearing hazmat suits as they approach the pilot door on the

British nationals have been evacuated (Picture: AFP by way of Getty Photographs)

British nationals returning to the UK face a 45-day self-isolation interval and can be barred from utilizing public transport to journey residence.

As soon as the isolation interval has concluded, public well being officers will assess whether or not passengers are in a position to self-isolate at residence or at an acceptable different location, relying on their particular person residing preparations.

In a publish on X, Overseas Secretary Yvette Cooper mentioned: “Thanks to all those that labored across the clock to get passengers from MV Hondius again to the UK by particular flight this night with public well being protections in place.

“The UK has labored with Spain, South Africa, the Netherlands and the WHO to coordinate protected returns.”