Spanish health authorities have taken precautionary measures after detecting a suspected hantavirus case in Alicante linked to the ongoing cruise ship outbreak.
The individual had travelled several weeks ago on the same flight as one of the infected persons, Spanish Secretary of State for Health Javier Padilla said.
He added that the person developed symptoms consistent with hantavirus infection, although authorities are still evaluating whether the case can be officially confirmed, according to Xinhua news agency.
Padilla also confirmed that all 14 Spanish passengers onboard the MV Hondius had agreed to undergo voluntary quarantine to reduce the risk of further transmission.
The Dutch-operated expedition cruise ship, currently heading towards Spain’s Canary Islands, has so far been linked to three deaths.
Padilla said a team from the Spanish Health Ministry would travel to Tenerife on Saturday ahead of the vessel’s expected arrival on Sunday.
Passengers are expected to disembark using small boats before being transferred under strict isolation measures. Spanish citizens onboard will later be transported to Madrid for quarantine observation.
Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency said two British nationals have been confirmed with hantavirus infection, while a third case remains suspected, on the South Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha.
None of the British citizens still onboard the MV Hondius are currently showing symptoms, but they are being closely monitored, the agency said.
All British passengers and crew onboard will be asked to isolate for 45 days after returning to Britain.
British government officials will also be present to assist nationals disembarking when the ship reaches Tenerife on Sunday.
The agency further said that seven British nationals had disembarked the ship at St Helena island on April 24.
Two of them have returned to Britain and are currently isolating at home without symptoms.
Four remain in St Helena, while the seventh person has been traced outside Britain.
With Inputs From IANS
