American cruise passenger tests positive for hantavirus after Canary Islands evacuation

A U.S. passenger evacuated from a cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak in the Canary Islands has tested positive for the virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC said a second American passenger who was onboard the ship is also being monitored after showing mild symptoms. Both individuals returned to the United States overnight and are being observed at the U.S. National Quarantine Unit in Nebraska.

Health officials have not released additional details about the patients or confirmed how many total cases have been linked to the cruise ship outbreak.

In a video message released to passengers, the ship’s captain thanked those onboard for their cooperation during the evacuation and asked the public to respect the privacy of affected travellers.

Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious illness that can spread through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, according to public health authorities. Officials have not said whether additional testing or quarantine measures are being considered for other passengers.

Public health officials are monitoring the situation closely because hantavirus infections can become severe and may require hospitalization.

U.S. health authorities are continuing to assess passengers connected to the voyage while the investigation into the outbreak remains ongoing.