US passengers from ship quarantined as officials say public risk 'very low'

Eighteen Americans evacuated from a cruise ship after possible exposure to hantavirus are being closely monitored by health officials at two of the country's top medical centres.

Sixteen people are in Nebraska at the nation's only national quarantine unit while two people are being monitored in Atlanta.

One of the American passengers who was aboard the Dutch vessel MV Hondius has tested positive without symptoms while another is showing mild symptoms. Public risk remains very low, say US officials.

The cruise ship, which had about 150 passengers on board, left Spain's Canary Islands on Monday. headed for the Netherlands. There have been nine confirmed cases worldwide and three deaths.

In an effort to preserve space at the facility in Nebraska, some passengers were flown to Atlanta, Georgia, including the passenger who displayed mild symptoms, said Brendan Jackson of the Centers for Disease Control. Prevention.

The two individuals taken to Atlanta include one who is symptomatic and that person's partner.

"Let me be crystal clear: the risk of hantavirus to the general public remains very, very low," said Admiral Brian Christine of the US Health. Human Services department (HHS).

"The Andes variant of this virus does not spread easily,. it requires prolonged close contact with someone who is already symptomatic."

Experts say most strains of hantavirus, a group of viruses carried by rodents, do not pass from person to person,. the Andes strain does.

The 16 passengers who were taken to Nebraska are in "good shape". "good spirits", Michael Wadman, medical director of the National Quarantine Unit, said.

He said the person who had tested positive was placed in a biocontainment facility and was not experiencing any symptoms.

The CDC cautioned that people could have symptoms, but that did not mean that they necessarily had the hantavirus. Any symptoms of a mild cold would count as a symptom. Brendan Jackson of CDC said, noting that they were being extra cautious.

Health officials are now focused on "symptom monitoring". Wadman noted that the passengers in Nebraska would undergo further assessment when they have had a chance to sleep. rest.

Passengers are expected to remain at the Nebraska facility for assessment over the next several days. Officials will then determine on a case-by-case basis whether they need to complete the full 42-day quarantine period.

On Monday, California health officials said two people from the state who were on the cruise were among those being monitored in Nebraska,. that two others were back in the western US state.

The officials said the latter paid had no symptoms,. that there were no confirmed cases of hantavirus in the state.

Meanwhile. of the six Canadians who were on board the cruise ship, four have returned to the province of British Columbia after boarding a chartered flight from Tenerife. They are all originally from either BC or the Yukon.

They have not shown any symptoms, but will be self-isolating for at least 21 days as a precaution. The Public Health Agency of Canada has said this could be extended to 42 days, citing the hantavirus's incubation period.

Two other Canadians - a couple - are self-isolating at their home in Ontario,. Health Minister Sylvia Jones said on Monday that neither has developed symptoms.

Three people have died following the outbreak on the MV Hondius. including two whom the World Health Organization has confirmed had hantavirus.

Two British nationals, who are being treated in the Netherlands and South Africa, also have confirmed cases.

A British-US dual national is currently also among the group in quarantine in Nebraska.

With additional reporting by Shaimaa Khalil in California