A U.S. health official confirmed on Sunday that one of the 17 American passengers evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship has tested positive for hantavirus. The individual is currently asymptomatic.
The Americans were evacuated from the ship, which docked in Tenerife, a major island in the Canary Islands. They were transported by charter flight to Omaha, Nebraska, where they will undergo assessment.
Medical Response and Quarantine Protocols
Upon arrival, one passenger will be admitted to the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit for monitoring. The others will be evaluated at the National Quarantine Unit.
One passenger will be transported to the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit upon arrival, while other passengers will go to the National Quarantine Unit for assessment and monitoring. The passenger who is going to the Biocontainment Unit tested positive for the virus but does not have symptoms.
Kayla Thomas, The Nebraska Medical Center
Hantavirus is a serious illness transmitted primarily through contact with rodent droppings. While there is no known cure, early detection and supportive care can improve outcomes.