Spain expects over 90 evacuees from hantavirus-hit cruise ship: Health official

Spanish authorities have launched a largescale evacuation operation for passengers and crew members aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius following a hantavirusrelated health scare with more than 90 people expected to be evacuated by the end of Sunday reported IANSAccording to Javier Padilla Spains Secretary of State for health the evacuation process has been progressing as planned with authorities coordinating the safe transfer of passengers and crew from multiple countries reported IANSPadilla shared updates regarding the operation through social media stating that evacuation flights and repatriation efforts were continuing throughout the dayPassengers From Multiple Countries Being RepatriatedA video released by the Spanish Interior Ministryrsquos General Secretariat for Civil Protection and Emergencies showed that 49 passengers and crew members from 14 different countries had already been evacuated by Sunday afternoon after the operation began earlier in the day reported IANSOfficials said passengers and crew members from Britain Turkey France Ireland and the United States were among those scheduled for evacuation later on Sunday reported IANSAccording to Spanish authorities the total number of evacuees is expected to cross 90 by the end of the day as repatriation operations continue reported IANSThe final evacuation flight is currently expected to depart on Monday and will transport Australian nationals back homeAuthorities in the Netherlands are also planning a special ldquosweep flightrdquo to evacuate passengers and crew members who have not yet been repatriated by their respective countries reported IANSWhat Is HantavirusAccording to the World Health Organization hantaviruses are zoonotic viruses that naturally infect rodents and can occasionally spread to humansHealth experts warn that hantavirus infections can lead to severe illness and in some cases death The severity and symptoms of the disease vary depending on the strain of the virus and geographical regionIn the Americas hantavirus infections are known to cause Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome HCPS a serious disease affecting the lungs and heartIn Europe and Asia hantaviruses are more commonly associated with Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome HFRS which primarily impacts the kidneys and blood vesselsNo Specific Cure Early Treatment CriticalThe World Health Organization has stated that there is currently no specific cure for hantavirus diseases However early supportive medical care and close monitoring can significantly improve survival ratesTreatment generally focuses on managing complications involving the respiratory system heart and kidneysMedical authorities emphasise that early diagnosis and immediate hospital care are critical particularly in severe cases where breathing difficulties or organ complications develop rapidlyRodent Exposure Main Cause Of InfectionHealth experts say hantavirus infections are usually transmitted to humans through contact with urine saliva or droppings from infected rodentsPeople may also become infected while cleaning poorly ventilated enclosed spaces contaminated by rodents or through activities such as farming forestry work and staying in rodentinfested areasAlthough less common infection can also occur through rodent bitesThe incident aboard the MV Hondius has once again highlighted concerns regarding infectious disease management on international travel routes and the importance of rapid response measures during potential outbreaksSpanish authorities have not yet released detailed information regarding the number of confirmed hantavirus cases aboard the ship or the current health status of all affected passengers and crew membersInternational Coordination ContinuesThe evacuation effort involves coordination between Spanish emergency authorities foreign governments and health agencies to safely transport passengers to their home countriesOfficials said additional medical assessments and monitoring are expected to continue after passengers arrive in their respective countriesThe situation remains under close observation as authorities work to complete evacuation and repatriation procedures over the next 24 hoursWith inputs from IANS