US citizen tests positive for Hantavirus after cruise ship outbreak

One of 17 American citizens being repatriated from a cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak has tested mildly positive for the virus, the United States Department of Health and Human Services confirmed on Sunday.

The development follows an emergency evacuation operation involving passengers aboard the MV Hondius after multiple cases of the rare disease were reported during the voyage.

In a statement, the department said, “One passenger currently has mild symptoms and another passenger tested mildly PCR positive for the Andes virus.”

According to the agency, both passengers are being transported in biocontainment units aboard the evacuation aircraft “out of an abundance of caution.”

The passengers were evacuated from the Spanish Canary Islands, where the ship had made a stop before the repatriation exercise commenced.

Health officials said the American citizens would be taken to a specialised medical facility in Nebraska upon arrival in the United States, while the symptomatic passenger would be transferred to a separate treatment centre for further monitoring and care.

The department stated that, “each person will undergo clinical assessment and receive appropriate care and support based on their condition.”

Outbreak concerns

The outbreak aboard the MV Hondius has already resulted in three deaths, while several other passengers reportedly fell ill during the voyage.

Hantavirus is a rare but potentially deadly disease commonly transmitted through exposure to infected rodents or their droppings. The Andes virus strain, linked to outbreaks in parts of South America, has also raised concerns among global health authorities because of its severe respiratory complications.

Health officials are continuing investigations and monitoring passengers as containment measures remain in place.