Hantavirus Cruise Passengers Will Disembark Sunday — Latest Updates
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Passengers of cruise ship MV Hondius infected with hantavirus will be evacuated on Sunday in an operation that will be personally observed by the WHO chief. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said travelers would be delivered to their respective countries, as governments differ in approaches to accepting and monitoring their citizens.
CDC representatives said that after assessment of American passengers at the National Quarantine Center in Nebraska, they could either isolate in that unit or return home, where they would maintain contact with medical officials for the next 42 days. British officials said returning passengers may be offered self-isolation at home for 45 days.
Different Countries — Different Rules
Spanish passengers, according to reports, will undergo voluntary quarantine at the Gómez Ulla Central Military Hospital in Madrid. The Spanish health minister said if passengers do not isolate voluntarily, authorities have «sufficient legal instruments to take necessary measures to protect public health».
Tedros released a long statement on Saturday saying he would travel to Tenerife Island to observe the carefully controlled operation to transport Hondius passengers, who remain asymptomatic, back to their countries. Passengers will be transported to the island airport in closed and guarded vehicles.
Monitoring in the US
According to CNN, about 17 Americans on board will be accompanied by charter flight and delivered to the National Quarantine Center in Omaha. CBS News reported that CDC activated the third level of emergency response — the lowest level that includes activation of disease experts and their staff.
The governor of New Jersey said two state residents are under monitoring after potential contact with a passenger of the hantavirus cruise ship. Local officials in California, Arizona, Georgia, Texas, and Virginia are also tracking possible contacts. President Trump told reporters the hantavirus outbreak is «very much» under control and «it's going to be fine».