After an outbreak of Hantavirus, Javier Padilla, Spain`s Secretary of State for health, said that the evacuation of passengers and some crew members from the Hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius has been underway as planned, with more than 90 people expected to be evacuated by the end of the day.
Spanish passenger tests positive for Hantavirus
In a recent development amid the Hantavirus outbreak, a Spanish passenger evacuated from a cruise ship has tested positive, the Spanish authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The testing has intensified concerns over the ongoing health emergency linked to the vessel.
The patient, who was among those evacuated from the cruise ship following the outbreak, has been placed in quarantine at a military hospital in Madrid, according to Spain’s health ministry.
The outbreak has been associated with the cruise ship MV Hondius, where multiple infections were reported among passengers and crew members before a full evacuation was carried out.
Patient under observation in Madrid
Following the findings, the Spanish Ministry of Health stated that the newly confirmed patient is being closely monitored in isolation. Health officials have implemented strict containment protocols to prevent further spread.
49 passengers and crew members evacuated in Spain
According to a video released by the official X account of the Spanish Interior Ministry`s General Secretariat for Civil Protection and Emergencies, 49 passengers and crew members from 14 different countries had been evacuated by Sunday afternoon since the operation began.
Padilla further said, “Passengers and crew members from Britain, Turkey, France, Ireland and the United States would continue to be evacuated later on Sunday, with the total number of evacuees expected to exceed 90 by the end of the day,” as per IANS.
The final evacuation flight is expected to depart on Monday to transport Australian nationals. The Netherlands also plans to send a so-called “sweep flight” to collect individuals who have not yet been repatriated by their respective countries.
WHO alerts about Hantavirus outbreak
According to the World Health Organisation, Hantaviruses are zoonotic viruses that naturally infect rodents and are occasionally transmitted to humans.
WHO further issued an advisory that infection in people can result in severe illness and often death, although the diseases vary by type of virus and geographical location. In the Americas, infection has been known to lead to Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a rapidly progressive condition affecting the lungs and heart, while in Europe and Asia, Hantaviruses have been known to cause haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), which primarily affects the kidneys and blood vessels.
(With inputs from IANS)