TENERIFE— U.S. health officials confirmed that one American passenger evacuated from the expedition cruise vessel MV Hondius has tested positive for the Andes strain of Hantavirus while being transported aboard a Kalitta Air-operated Boeing 747 freighter from Tenerife Airport (TFN) to Omaha Eppley Airfield (OMA).
The emergency medical transfer involved 17 American passengers rescued from the cruise ship after a suspected Hantavirus outbreak triggered an international health response.
Kalitta Air, a U.S.-based cargo carrier, operated the specially configured Boeing 747 aircraft for the humanitarian mission as authorities rushed potentially infected travelers back to the United States for treatment and observation.
Hantavirus Evacuation
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services confirmed late Sunday that one passenger had returned a mildly positive PCR test for the Andes strain of Hantavirus.
Another passenger reportedly showed symptoms consistent with infection, prompting authorities to isolate both individuals inside onboard biocontainment units during the transatlantic flight.
Officials said the precautionary measures were necessary due to the severity of the Andes strain, which carries a reported fatality rate ranging between 30% and 50%. The virus has raised global concern because it differs from several other Hantavirus strains through its potential for person-to-person transmission.
The Boeing 747 cargo aircraft arrived in Tenerife on May 10 shortly after the MV Hondius docked in the Canary Islands for an international repatriation operation.
Health teams coordinated the evacuation under strict containment procedures before the passengers boarded the aircraft for the overnight journey to Nebraska.
In its statement, the Department of Health and Human Services noted that the two isolated passengers were traveling in dedicated containment chambers “out of an abundance of caution.” Officials also emphasized that the symptomatic cases currently appeared mild.
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Nebraska Isolation Center
The flight was scheduled to land in Omaha, Nebraska, at approximately 3:30 a.m. local time on Monday.
After arrival, passengers were expected to be transferred directly to the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center, one of the United States’ leading facilities for handling high-risk infectious diseases.
Medical authorities plan to keep most passengers under observation at the facility while conducting additional evaluations and laboratory testing. Passengers displaying symptoms will reportedly remain in specialized isolation units until doctors complete further assessments.
Officials indicated that some travelers could later be permitted to continue recovery through self-isolation at home, depending on their clinical condition and test results, PYOK flagged.
Federal health agencies continue monitoring all passengers who had contact with the affected individuals aboard the cruise vessel.
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Global Health Response
The incident has renewed international attention on infectious disease protocols within the cruise industry and emergency aviation transport operations.
Governments and health organizations coordinated closely to move passengers safely while minimizing exposure risks during the repatriation mission.
The use of a Kalitta Air Boeing 747 freighter highlighted how cargo aircraft can be rapidly adapted for emergency medical evacuations involving infectious disease containment.
Aviation and health officials continue reviewing response procedures as monitoring efforts remain underway.
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