Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship; Four Dead, Many Quarantined
A cruise ship hit by a rare person-to-person Andes hantavirus outbreak has left four people dead with nearly 150 passengers potentially exposed. The vessel faces docking complications as authorities debate whether it can port in the Canary Islands.
Outbreak Details
Three people aboard a cruise ship hit by a hantavirus outbreak are expected to be evacuated as a political battle brews over whether the vessel can dock at the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago.
Virus Strain
The World Health Organization confirmed this outbreak is the Andes strain of the virus, which is known to be transmissible between people.
Docking Dispute
The leader of the Canary Islands said today that he opposes the ship docking — contradicting the Spanish government, which said it would allow the ship to dock in about three days.
Quarantine Concerns
Because symptoms of the virus can take from two to eight weeks to develop, it's possible more of the 150 passengers aboard the cruise ship could be infected.