One of the 14 Spanish nationals evacuated from the Hondius cruise ship, where a hantavirus outbreak was detected, has tested provisionally positive for the infection. The passenger is isolated at the Gómez Ulla military hospital in Madrid, according to the Ministry of Health.
The individual tested positive on a PCR test upon arrival at the medical centre. Since Monday evening, the patient has experienced a low-grade fever and slight oxygen desaturation, but remains stable with no evident clinical worsening.
According to the Catalan News Agency (ACN), the affected person is not a resident of Catalonia. Definitive test results are expected in the coming hours.
Quarantine and Further Testing
The other 13 Spanish passengers have so far tested negative. However, they will undergo further evaluation during their quarantine period. A second test is scheduled for all of them this Wednesday, with a third test planned for next week.
Beyond Spain, two other countries have confirmed positive cases among the ship's passengers. A French woman is hospitalised in a stable condition, and a man from the United States has also tested positive.
Ship Returns to Port
The Hondius cruise ship is now en route to the Netherlands. Oceanwide Expeditions, the company operating the cruise, stated that the vessel is expected to reach the port of Rotterdam on 17 May, a journey of about six days. In total, 122 people were repatriated, comprising 35 crew members and 87 passengers.
