CDC classifies outbreak as 'Level 3' emergency response
ABC7 Los Angeles • • world
Key Points:
- Spanish authorities are preparing to receive over 140 passengers and crew from the hantavirus-affected cruise ship MV Hondius in Tenerife, where evacuees will be isolated in a cordoned-off area to prevent virus spread.
- Since the outbreak, three people have died and five passengers are confirmed infected, but the cruise operator reports no symptomatic individuals currently on board; the World Health Organization (WHO) considers the public risk low.
- Health officials across multiple countries are tracing passengers who left the ship before the outbreak was detected, including a flight attendant who tested negative for hantavirus after brief contact with an infected passenger.
- Spanish and international authorities are coordinating evacuation plans involving isolated transport and repatriation flights, with the U.S. and U.K. arranging planes to return their citizens from the ship.
- The U.S. CDC has classified the outbreak as a "Level 3" emergency, indicating low public risk but active monitoring and resource mobilization to support the response.
