US health authorities have confirmed that an American passenger, returned from the MV Hondius cruise ship, has tested positive for hantavirus, while another is showing mild symptoms of the disease.
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the two passengers will be transported to the US with strict biosecurity measures, as part of a repatriation flight for 17 US citizens who were on the cruise ship.
The infected passenger tested positive for the Andes virus via PCR. This virus, which is mainly transmitted by rodents, is suspected to have caused the deaths of three people on the ship and infected several others.
Meanwhile, the second passenger is experiencing mild symptoms, but it has not yet been announced whether he has been tested for the virus.
All American passengers will be taken to the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where they will be monitored by medical teams.
Health authorities are continuing investigations to prevent the further spread of the virus.
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