US national on repatriation flight tests positive for hantavirus
Summary
An American passenger on a repatriation flight from a cruise ship outbreak tested positive for hantavirus, while another has mild symptoms. All 17 U.S. passengers will be examined in Nebraska, and officials say the risk of a widespread outbreak is very low.Key Facts
- The passengers are from the MV Hondius cruise ship docked in the Canary Islands, Spain.
- Three passengers (two Dutch, one German) died after travelling on the ship; two had confirmed hantavirus.
- Hantavirus usually spreads from rodents, but the Andes strain can spread between people.
- Symptoms include fever, severe tiredness, muscle pain, stomach issues, vomiting, diarrhea, and breathing problems.
- The U.S. Department of Health said all repatriated passengers will get medical checks at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
- The World Health Organization advises 42 days of isolation after leaving the ship, but U.S. health officials say human-to-human spread is rare and do not want panic.
- Other countries including the UK, France, the Netherlands, Spain, South Africa, and Australia are also managing their returning passengers with tests, isolation, or quarantine.
- Some passengers are traveling in special medical isolation units as a safety precaution during flights.
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