The cruise ship linked to a deadly hantavirus outbreak arrived off the Spanish island of Tenerife early Sunday where passenger evacuation has begun.
Spanish health authorities will test all passengers for symptoms before they are transported ashore in small boats. Spanish nationals are being evacuated first, followed by other nationalities, including multiple Americans believed aboard the MV Hondius. They will be flown home from Tenerife's main airport.
U.S. officials plan to transfer American passengers to a military base in Nebraska for quarantine and monitoring.
World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived on Tenerife Saturday, stating the public health risk from the Andes strain of hantavirus remains low. He emphasized this is not another COVID-19, warning the Andean strain can be severe.
So far eight people aboard the ship have fallen ill, including three who died. Six cases are confirmed, and two others are suspected.
Around 30 crew members will remain on board as the vessel sails to the Netherlands for disinfection.