Turkey Evacuates Citizens from Hantavirus Cruise Ship

Turkey is among the countries evacuating its citizens from a cruise ship that was struck by a deadly hantavirus outbreak, as the vessel docked in Tenerife, Spain, on Sunday. Government planes carrying Spanish and French nationals have already landed in Madrid and Paris, with flights to Turkey, Canada, the Netherlands, the UK, Ireland, and the United States scheduled to depart by Sunday evening local time, according to reports.

The outbreak, which has caused global concern, prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to recommend a 42-day quarantine for all passengers from the boat, starting Sunday. Passengers will be tested upon arrival in their home countries and either taken to local hospitals, quarantine facilities, or transported home for isolation. Spanish passengers, for instance, will be kept in hospital for the full 42-day period.

During the repatriation flight to France, one of the five French passengers showed symptoms, French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said in a post on X. The development underscores the urgency of containing the virus, which can cause severe respiratory illness.

Key Takeaways

1. Turkey is evacuating its citizens from a cruise ship in Tenerife, Spain, following a deadly hantavirus outbreak, with flights to multiple countries underway.
2. The WHO has recommended a 42-day quarantine for all passengers to prevent further spread, and passengers will be tested and isolated upon arrival.
3. One French passenger showed symptoms during repatriation, highlighting the ongoing risk and the need for strict health protocols.

The coordinated international response involves government planes and medical teams to ensure safe repatriation. The WHO's director of epidemic and pandemic management, Maria Van Kerkhove, emphasized the importance of the 42-day quarantine in a briefing, as the world watches the situation closely.