A Spanish passenger from a cruise ship involved in a hantavirus outbreak has tested positive, bringing the total to 11 cases, with 9 confirmed. Three people, including a Dutch couple believed to have contracted the virus in South America, have died. The infected passenger is quarantined in Madrid, while others tested negative. The MV Hondius is returning to the Netherlands for cleaning. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that cases are limited to the ship’s passengers and crew, but more could emerge due to the virus’s long incubation period. A French woman remains in intensive care, and Dutch hospital staff are quarantined after mishandling a patient’s fluids. Argentina is sending experts to investigate the outbreak’s source, possibly linked to a landfill visited by the Dutch couple. The ship’s evacuation involved 87 passengers and 35 crew members.
QUESTION: How might the experience of being quarantined on a cruise ship during an outbreak impact passengers’ views on travel and safety?
Spain reports new hantavirus case in passenger from cruise ship as total cases grow to 11
