Hantavirus: WHO says risk to Tenerife residents is 'low'

"The World Health Organization's chief Tedros stresses that the 'risk for the population of Canary Islands and globally remains low' The US, UK and several European countries will send planes to evacuate their citizens from the MV Hondius No passengers with symptoms are left on the cruise ship, according to the cruise company Some passengers disembarked from the ship before the infection was reported and countries around the world have raced to trace them and people they came into contact with"

"Spain said arrangements have been made to fly European passengers home when they leave the hantavirus-hit Hondius cruise ship. "I can confirm that return flights to France, Germany, Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands have already been planned," Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska told a news conference. Grande-Marlaska said two planes from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism are on standby, adding that the UK and US had made their own repatriation arrangements for their citizens."

"The Hondius is due to arrive off southern Tenerife, in Spain's Canary Islands, early on Sunday morning. Spanish officials have insisted that all those aboard will be checked for symptoms and will be taken directly onto the runway before boarding planes."

Spanish authorities are preparing to receive the MV Hondius cruise ship arriving early Sunday off southern Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands. The World Health Organization chief Tedros reassures residents that the risk for the population of the Canary Islands and globally remains low. The US, UK, and several European countries plan to send planes to evacuate their citizens. The cruise company states that no passengers with symptoms remain on the ship. Some passengers disembarked before the infection was reported, prompting global efforts to trace them and their contacts. Spain confirms return flights for European passengers, with EU Civil Protection Mechanism planes on standby and additional repatriation arrangements by the UK and US.

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