health
Spain readies for evacuations as a hantavirus-hit cruise ship heads for the Canary Islands
MADRID (AP) — Spanish authorities on Friday were preparing to receive more than 140 passengers and crew members on board a hantavirus-stricken cruise ship headed for the Canary Islands, where health officials have said they will perform careful evacuations.
TL;DR
- A cruise ship, the MV Hondius, is en route to Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands after a hantavirus outbreak.
- Over 140 passengers and crew are expected, with careful evacuations planned.
- The U.S. and U.K. are arranging flights to evacuate their citizens from the ship.
- While three deaths and five infections are linked to the outbreak, the cruise operator reports no symptomatic individuals on board.
- Health authorities are tracking passengers who disembarked before the outbreak was detected.
- Passengers express fear of public ostracization and stigma upon their return.
- The World Health Organization assesses the risk to the wider public as low, emphasizing that hantavirus is not easily transmitted between people, though the Andes virus strain may pose a rare risk.
- A flight attendant who briefly interacted with an infected passenger has tested negative for the virus, easing some concerns.
- Spanish officials detailed stringent measures for the arrival, including isolated transport and cordoned-off airport areas.