In recent developments linked to a global cruise evacuation operation, two passengers from the MV Hondius have tested positive for hantavirus, with one of the patients in declining health, French health authorities confirmed this week. French Health Minister Stephanie Rist shared updates with public broadcaster France-Inter on Monday, noting that the first confirmed case is a French national who was repatriated to Paris alongside four other compatriots on Sunday. The patient first began exhibiting noticeable symptoms during the return flight to the French capital, and after being admitted to a local hospital, her condition deteriorated overnight, according to Rist’s statement.
The MV Hondius anchored off the coast of the Canary Islands earlier this week following reports of potential hantavirus exposure among those on board, prompting an international repatriation effort organized by multiple national governments. On Sunday, the first groups of passengers began departing the vessel for home aboard military and government-chartered aircraft. The disembarkation process, which was still ongoing as of Monday, saw passengers escorted from the ship to the shore of Tenerife by emergency personnel wearing full-body protective suits and filtration respirator masks to reduce the risk of virus transmission.
Global health authorities have issued guidance for handling the evacuated passengers, with the World Health Organization recommending that all former passengers from the MV Hondius undergo close medical monitoring following their return. In response to this guidance, many countries have implemented mandatory quarantine measures for every passenger repatriated from the vessel. Late on Sunday, United States health officials confirmed a second positive case: an American national who was among 17 passengers being flown to a medical facility in Nebraska for monitoring and treatment. Unlike the French patient, this American case is currently asymptomatic, officials reported.