What comes next for US passengers evacuated from hantavirus-hit cruise ship

After being flown to a medical centre in Nebraska, some will be allowed to "self-isolate" in their home states.

The first group of passengers from the MV Hondius, affected by a hantavirus outbreak, have been evacuated from Tenerife, Spain, with plans for further repatriation flights.

U.S. health officials have issued warnings about potential 'imported' cases of hantavirus following an outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship, where eight cases—including three deaths—were confirmed.

Over a dozen Americans have been quarantined at the National Quarantine Unit in Omaha, Nebraska, after being exposed to a deadly hantavirus outbreak aboard the Antarctic cruise ship MV Hondius. Three passengers have died, and five others are ill. Among the Americans, one tested 'mildly positive' and is experiencing light symptoms; this individual and another passenger were transported in biocontainment units. Sixteen others are being observed round-the-clock in single-occupancy rooms with dedicated ventilation systems.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has come under scrutiny for its delayed response to a hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship. Critics, including public health experts, expressed concern over the agency's lack of communication and absence of on-site investigation early in the crisis. Over the weekend, the CDC began evacuating 17 affected Americans from the Canary Islands to a specialized treatment center at the University of Nebraska. A CDC team met the patients on Sunday to facilitate their return. Experts argue the response reflects a decline in the U.S.'s global leadership in managing health emergencies. Michael Osterholm of the University of Minnesota likened the outbreak to a “one-alarm fire” and questioned the CDC’s inadequate engagement. However, the CDC defended its actions, stating that communication had occurred via official statements and social media posts by acting CDC director Jay Bhattacharya.

U.S. health officials are monitoring returning passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship for hantavirus infection after a deadly outbreak resulted in five deaths.

Seventeen American passengers from the MV Hondius, affected by a hantavirus outbreak, are being repatriated to the U.S. and will undergo assessment at a Nebraska quarantine center.