The cruise ship that was hit by ahantavirus outbreakhas arrived off the coast of Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands, carrying more than 140 passengers and crew members as authorities race to safely evacuate those on board, AP reported. While three people have died and five passengers who earlier left the vessel tested positive for the potentially life-threatening virus, theWorld Health Organisation(WHO), Spanish officials, and cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions said no one currently aboard the MV Hondius is showing symptoms.
The ship will remain anchored offshore as passengers from over 20 nationalities are ferried out in small boats under strict health checks. Everyone disembarking will be checked for symptoms and will only be taken off the ship once evacuation flights are ready to fly them to their destinations.
Hantavirus usually spreads when people inhale contaminated residue of rodent droppings and isn't easily transmitted between people. But the Andes virus detected in the cruise ship outbreak may be able to spread between people in rare cases. Symptoms usually show between one and eight weeks after exposure.
Both the US and the UK have agreed to send planes to evacuate their citizens. Americans are to be quarantined at a medical centre in Nebraska.
All Spanish passengers will be transferred to a medical facility and quarantined. Oceanwide has listed 13 Spanish passengers and one Spanish crew member on board.
Those disembarking will leave behind their luggage and will be allowed to take only a small bag with essential items, a cellphone, a charger, and documentation.
Some crew, as well as the body of a passenger who died on board, will remain on the ship, which will sail on to the Netherlands, where it will undergo disinfection, Spanish authorities said, AP reported.
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