Health experts ‘working with all concerned’ after Hantavirus evacuation flight

By Rebecca Black, Press Association

Public health experts are “working with all concerned” after the evacuation of two Irish nationals from a Hantavirus-hit cruise ship, the Taoiseach has said.

The MV Hondius docked in Tenerife in the Canary Islands on Sunday morning and among those transported to their home countries were two Irish citizens.

The Government jet flew to and from the island from Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel on Sunday, landing back at the military air base in west Co Dublin shortly after 9pm.

The two passengers were said to have followed isolation protocols on the ship and were in “good health”.

They were due to be taken to an HSE facility where they would be monitored while quarantining, a process which follows international guidance

Speaking in Waterford on Monday, Micheál Martin said he was pleased that the two are now back in Ireland, and that they are healthy.

“We wish them well, and we appreciate the tolerance and patience that they have shown through what has been a very trying period,” he said.

“Public health specialists are on top of that and working with all concerned.”