Spain's health ministry announced Tuesday that a Spanish passenger evacuated from the cruise ship at the center of a hantavirus outbreak has tested positive for the virus. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 11, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
New Case Confirmed
The passenger with the newly confirmed case of hantavirus is in quarantine at a military hospital in Madrid. This individual was among 14 Spanish nationals evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship on Sunday. The other 13 evacuees tested negative for the virus.
Outbreak Details
The WHO has confirmed that all 11 cases are among passengers or crew of the MV Hondius. Three people have died as a result of the outbreak. Nine of the 11 cases have been identified as the Andes virus, a strain of hantavirus known to be particularly severe.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, speaking in Madrid, confirmed the details of the outbreak, emphasizing that the situation is being closely monitored.
Spanish health authorities continue to investigate the source of the outbreak and are implementing measures to prevent further spread. The affected passengers and crew are receiving medical care, and contact tracing is underway.
