American Passengers From Virus-Hit Cruise Ship Head Home After Spain Landing

Seventeen U.S. citizens who were aboard the hantavirus-affected cruise ship M/V Hondius are returning to the United States after the vessel docked in Tenerife, Spain, and all passengers were evacuated on Sunday. Upon arrival in Spain, medical teams from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) interviewed the travelers—whose identities remain undisclosed and who have not tested positive for the virus—about their potential exposure during the voyage. The group is scheduled to land in Nebraska aboard a chartered flight, according to authorities. Nebraska is home to the national quarantine unit and the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit. Acting CDC Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya told CNN that the agency will interview each passenger and assess their risk level. “If they weren’t in close contact with someone who was symptomatic, we’ll deem them low risk,” he said. “If they were in close contact, we’ll deem them medium or high risk. At that point, we will offer them alternatives.” Those options include staying in Nebraska or returning home, provided that their home situation allows for safe travel without exposing others. Passengers who go home will be monitored by state and local health agencies, with CDC support. Bhattacharya stressed that this is not a repeat of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We don’t want to cause public panic,” he said, noting that the agency is following established hantavirus protocols that have contained past outbreaks. On Friday, the CDC issued a health alert for clinicians and health departments, outlining symptoms and guidance. A CDC official told reporters Saturday that no passengers are being quarantined and that testing is not recommended for those without symptoms.