European health officials have designated every traveler aboard a cruise ship affected by a fatal hantavirus outbreak as high-risk contacts as a safety precaution, according to statements released Saturday by the continent’s public health agency. The announcement comes as the vessel prepares to dock Sunday near Spain’s Tenerife island.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control announced that travelers showing no symptoms would be returned to their home nations for self-isolation using special transportation arrangements rather than standard commercial airline services.
Nations were making preparations to retrieve their citizens from the MV Hondius between 6:30 and 7:00 GMT. The World Health Organization reported Friday that eight individuals have become sick, with three fatalities including a Dutch couple and one German citizen. Health officials have confirmed six cases of the virus, with two additional suspected infections under investigation.
The ECDC noted that while passengers will be classified as high-risk during departure, this designation may not necessarily continue once they return to their respective countries.
The health agency recommended that passengers displaying symptoms receive immediate priority for medical evaluation and testing upon arrival. These individuals may remain in isolation on Tenerife or be transported home for medical care based on their health status.
While rodents typically transmit the virus, human-to-human transmission can occur in uncommon circumstances. Health officials have stated that the likelihood of widespread transmission remains minimal.
