Dozens of passengers and crew from a cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak have been evacuated from Tenerife, with Britons among those flown to the UK for quarantine. The MV Hondius arrived in the Canary Islands early Sunday carrying 146 people after three deaths and eight illnesses linked to the virus.
Spanish passengers were taken off first, screened by medical teams in hazmat suits, and transported to Tenerife airport. A plane carrying 22 UK citizens landed in Manchester on Sunday evening; they will quarantine at Arrowe Park hospital in Wirral for 72 hours before self-isolating at home for 45 days. None of the British passengers are showing symptoms.
Flights have been arranged to repatriate passengers and crew to 10 countries, including the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Greece, Canada, Turkey, France, Ireland, and the US. French authorities reported one of five nationals showing symptoms, while US officials said one of 17 Americans had mild symptoms and another tested mildly positive for the Andes strain of the virus.
Spanish and WHO officials stressed that evacuees will not come into contact with people in Tenerife. The virus, transmitted only through very close contact, causes flu-like symptoms that can lead to respiratory arrest and death. Authorities have sought to reassure the public that this outbreak will not cause another pandemic.
Philippine officials confirmed 38 Filipino crew members are on board; 24 are being transferred to the Netherlands for quarantine, while 14 remain as essential crew to bring the ship to Rotterdam. A Dutch refuelling plane will pick up remaining passengers on Monday, with the last flight to Australia departing that afternoon.
