The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said some passengers on a cruise ship hit by deadly hantavirus were facing mental breakdown. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press briefing it would have been 'inhumane' to leave people on board the ship rather than letting it dock in Tenerife.
All 20 British nationals from the MV Hondius, together with a German UK resident and a Japanese passenger, were flown from Tenerife to Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral on Sunday. They will stay there for three days before being sent home to continue isolating for a further 42 days.
Dr Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Spain's prime minister for allowing the ship to dock, saying the world needs kindness and compassion. He noted that WHO could 'say confidently' that the disembarkation process was successful.
So far, 11 hantavirus cases have been reported among people on the cruise, including three deaths. Nine cases are confirmed, with two more probable. There is no sign of a larger outbreak, but more cases may appear due to the long incubation period.
The ship's captain thanked passengers and crew for their patience and discipline, and said their thoughts are with those who died. A French woman who tested positive is in intensive care in Paris in stable condition, while a US passenger tested positive with no symptoms.
