The cruise ship 'Hondius', which experienced a deadly hantavirus outbreak, has left the Canary Islands. After evacuating most passengers at the port of Tenerife, the vessel is heading to the Netherlands for deep sanitization.

Despite the evacuation, 27 people remain on board under strict quarantine: 17 Filipinos, four Dutch, four Ukrainians, one Russian, and one Pole. They are crew members and medical workers at risk due to the Andes strain's human-to-human transmission capability.

On Tuesday, 17 Filipino sailors disembarked in the Netherlands. All underwent initial medical checks and were placed in quarantine at local facilities. A total of 38 Filipino crew members are awaiting repatriation.

Spain's Health Ministry reported that one evacuated passenger in Madrid tested positive for hantavirus. In the US, a second American evacuated from Tenerife showed mild symptoms. Both were transported home in bio-protective suits.

Spain's health minister also reported that a police officer involved in the evacuation died of cardiac arrest.

In France, an infected woman is isolated in Paris, her condition worsening. 22 contacts have been identified. Two infected Britons are being treated in the Netherlands and South Africa.

According to the WHO, there are seven confirmed cases and three deaths linked to the ship. The organization recommends 42-day isolation for all passengers due to the long incubation period. WHO's Maria Van Kerkhove stated: 'This is not Covid or flu; this virus spreads completely differently.'

Acting US CDC head Jay Bhattacharya also urged against panic, noting rare human-to-human transmission.

The WHO suggests some passengers may have contracted the Andes strain during travel in South America. Symptoms include high fever, severe weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, and respiratory issues. Hantavirus was first identified in South Korea in the 1970s and is a rare but potentially fatal infection.

Source: podrobno.uz