Spain Evacuates Cruise Ship After Hantavirus Kills Three
Spain has started moving passengers off a cruise ship. The ship is called the MV Hondius.
It arrived in Tenerife on Sunday. Three people died from a hantavirus outbreak on board.
Several others were infected. Medical teams in hazmat suits boarded the ship.
They tested passengers before letting them off. Passengers were taken ashore by small boats.
Then they were moved onto buses to the airport. The evacuation covers passengers of 23 nationalities. It was expected to continue through Monday evening.
Klear Note — Hantavirus is a rare but serious disease spread by rodent droppings. It causes fever and can damage lungs and kidneys. Cruise ships must evacuate quickly when outbreaks occur.
Key Terms 4
- Hantavirus A rare virus spread by rodents that can be deadly
- Hazmat suits Protective clothing worn to avoid contact with dangerous substances
- Tenerife A Spanish island off the northwest coast of Africa
- Evacuation Moving people away from a dangerous place to safety