THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - A French woman and an American passenger have tested positive for hantavirus, prompting countries across the globe to urgently repatriate travelers from a cruise ship ravaged by a fatal outbreak on Monday while enforcing quarantines or isolations.

Evacuations kicked off Sunday as passengers boarded military and government aircraft after the MV Hondius docked in the Canary Islands. Teams clad in full protective suits and respirators guided individuals from the vessel to Tenerife's shore, with operations extending into Monday.

This marks the inaugural hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, noted Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO director for epidemic and pandemic preparedness. Three fatalities have occurred among passengers so far, yet officials emphasize the minimal threat to the wider population.

Captain Jan Dobrogowski released a video statement Monday, lauding passengers and crew for their resilience and urging privacy. "I have seen your compassion, solidarity, and steadfast resolve among all on board - guests and crew - and I salute my team's bravery and dedication during the toughest times," he remarked. "I cannot envision navigating this ordeal with a finer group of people, both guests and crew."

New Cases Emerge in France and U.S.

The French woman, who tested positive for hantavirus, saw her condition deteriorate overnight in hospital care, French Health Minister Stephanie Rist announced Monday. She was part of five French nationals returned Sunday and fell ill during the flight to Paris, Rist shared on France-Inter radio.

Of the 17 U.S. passengers evacuated to Nebraska, one tested positive for hantavirus without symptoms, and another experienced mild ones, U.S. officials reported late Sunday. Their flight touched down early Monday, after which passengers moved to buses departing the airport.

The group heads initially to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, home to a federal quarantine unit, for evaluations of close contacts with symptomatic individuals and infection risks.

"One passenger will proceed to the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit on arrival, with others directed to the National Quarantine Unit for evaluation and observation. The biocontainment case is virus-positive yet symptom-free," explained Kayla Thomas, spokesperson for the Nebraska Medicine network aiding the passengers.

The center features a specialized unit for highly contagious diseases, previously activated for early COVID-19 cases and Ebola patients.

The WHO urges vigilant tracking of ex-passengers, leading many nations to impose quarantines.

Aircraft in Tenerife were set to transport citizens from over 20 nations, aiming to conclude Monday. A Dutch flight due that afternoon would take passengers originally slated for an Australian charter, per Spain's Health Minister Mónica García. Monday saw 54 passengers and crew aboard, 22 slated to leave, and 32 staying as the ship sails back to the Netherlands.

Three deaths and six infections since the outbreak's start, WHO spokesperson Sarah Tyler updated Monday, noting one U.S. case with ambiguous test results.

The Hondius departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1; a Dutch passenger perished April 11 onboard. The WHO flagged a suspected hantavirus incident in early May off Cape Verde, West Africa.

Officials Reassure Low Public Risk

Hantavirus typically transmits via rodent waste and rarely person-to-person, though the Andes strain from the ship might spread human-to-human in exceptional instances. Symptoms such as fever, chills, and muscle pain emerge one to eight weeks post-exposure.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus assured Sunday that the outbreak poses no COVID-like threat. "This is not another COVID. Public risk remains low, so no need for fear or panic."

Van Kerkhove, WHO's lead epidemiologist, advised passengers' nations to conduct "active monitoring and follow-up, including daily health checks at home or dedicated facilities."

Several countries confirmed plans for quarantine or hospital monitoring of returnees.

Captain Dobrogowski expressed, "My heart goes out to those we've lost; no words can mend this grief, but they remain in our daily thoughts and hearts."