Washington — U.S. officials are working to bring Americans home from a cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak, with some passengers expected to later be monitored at a quarantine facility in Nebraska, according to multiple reports.
The Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius is reportedly heading toward Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands after multiple hantavirus cases and several deaths were reported aboard the vessel.
According to multiple reports, the U.S. State Department is arranging a repatriation flight for 17 Americans aboard the ship once it arrives in Spain. Federal health officials are also expected to coordinate quarantine and monitoring efforts involving facilities in Nebraska.
Health officials said the outbreak involves the Andes strain of hantavirus, a rare form of the virus that can spread between people through close contact. Symptoms can include fever, fatigue, muscle aches and severe respiratory complications.
According to multiple reports, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has activated a Level 3 emergency response related to the outbreak while monitoring passengers and assisting with return efforts.
Officials have not yet released additional details about the condition of those aboard the ship or when the Americans are expected to arrive back in the United States.
