Dozens of passengers and crew have been evacuated from a cruise ship off the coast of Tenerife following a deadly hantavirus outbreak. The operation began on Sunday, with British nationals among those taken off the vessel and flown to the UK for quarantine.
Twenty-two UK citizens landed in Manchester on Sunday evening and will be moved to self-contained flats at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral for 72 hours of observation before completing a 45-day self-isolation at home. None of the British passengers are currently showing symptoms, according to NHS trust officials.
Flights have also been arranged for citizens from Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Greece, Canada, Turkey, France, Ireland, and the United States. Fourteen Spanish passengers arrived at Madrid airport on Sunday, while French and US authorities confirmed that some evacuees are exhibiting symptoms. France reported one of five nationals with symptoms, and the US stated that one of 17 Americans had mild symptoms and another tested PCR positive for the Andes strain.
Remaining passengers, including 38 Filipino crew, are being repatriated via separate flights. The 14 Filipino deck and engine crew will remain onboard to bring the ship to Rotterdam. Those evacuated are required to isolate for 42 days from their potential exposure point, which for many occurred days ago.
Authorities stressed that despite the severity of the virus, it will not lead to another pandemic. The World Health Organization and Spanish government have assured that evacuees will not come into contact with the public in Tenerife.
