Dozens of passengers and crew from a cruise ship struck by a deadly hantavirus outbreak have been evacuated from Tenerife, with British nationals among those flown home. The operation, which began on Sunday, saw 22 UK citizens land in Manchester before being transferred to hospital quarantine in Merseyside.
The MV Hondius arrived in the Canary Islands early Sunday carrying 146 people, after three people died of the virus and eight more fell ill. No other passengers showed symptoms, but all had been confined to cabins for days to prevent further spread. Spanish passengers were taken off first, wearing protective gear, and transported to Tenerife airport.
British passengers and crew, none showing symptoms, will undergo welfare checks over 72 hours at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral, followed by 45 days of self-isolation at home. Flights have also been arranged for nationals from the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Greece, Canada, Turkey, France, Ireland, and the US.
France and the US later reported individuals showing symptoms. The French prime minister confirmed one of five French nationals flown home had symptoms, while US authorities said one of 17 Americans had mild symptoms and another tested PCR positive for the Andes strain of hantavirus.
Spanish authorities said a Dutch refuelling plane would pick up remaining passengers on Monday, with the last flight to Australia scheduled for that afternoon. The Philippines, which had the most people on board, confirmed 38 Filipino crew members, with 24 transferred to the Netherlands for quarantine and 14 remaining on board to bring the ship to Rotterdam.
Evacuees have been asked to isolate for 42 days from potential exposure. The World Health Organization and Spanish authorities stressed the virus, while serious, would not cause another pandemic.
