Reported hantavirus protocol breach at hospital forces 12 employees into 6-week quarantine
The agency reported that two of the most recent cases have been confirmed and are from Spain and France. The French patient became symptomatic during repatriation, while the Spanish patient tested positive following repatriation and remains asymptomatic.
A third case returned inconclusive results, with the patient initially testing positive and later negative.
In total, eight cases are confirmed, two are probable and one is inconclusive. The three deaths also include two confirmed cases and one probable case.
Health officials say the virus can be deadly but poses a low risk to the public. Contact tracing for all individuals linked to the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship remains ongoing.
In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday added that it has deployed a team to the Canary Islands, where passengers disembarked, to provide onsite healthcare, including speaking with each American passenger at risk of potential exposure.
Spanish government officials spray disinfectant on passengers before they board a plane after disembarking from the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship MV Hondius at Tenerife airport, May 10, in the Canary Islands, Spain. (Arturo Rodriguez/AP Photo)
The CDC said it will not release exactly how many passengers are being monitored.
The outbreak began when a Dutch cruise ship carrying 147 passengers and crew departed Argentina on April 1 for a South Atlantic voyage. It is believed the initial infection was contracted by a passenger who may have been exposed to rodents during regional birdwatching activities prior to boarding, according to the WHO.
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After multiple infection reports, the ship docked in Spain’s Canary Islands on May 10, where the remaining passengers and most of the crew were evacuated under quarantine protocols.
Passengers have been repatriated to their home countries for a recommended 42-day isolation period.
The ship, along with a skeleton crew of 25 and two medical professionals, then sailed to Rotterdam, Netherlands, The Associated Press reported.
Bonny Chu is a Digital Production Assistant at Fox News Digital.
Article source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/reported-hantavirus-protocol-breach-hospital-forces-12-employees-6-week-quarantine