In an interview with ABC News, Dr. Stephen Kornfeld described swiftly taking the helm during the escalating health crisis on the vessel.

An American oncologist aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship jumped into action when the onboard physician succumbed to hantavirus.

Dr. Stephen Kornfeld started as an ordinary passenger amid the outbreak but stepped up to guide the response once the ship's doctor fell ill.

Speaking to ABC News, Kornfeld noted how he quickly recognized his role in directing the full-scale medical emergency unfolding onboard.

The unnamed ship doctor numbered among six confirmed hantavirus cases, alongside one probable case that led to a death on the vessel.

"The crisis intensified within 24 hours of my involvement," Kornfeld told ABC. "One patient died, the physician and another crew member deteriorated further, and hantavirus confirmation emerged."

Kornfeld stressed he did not operate solo, adding, "Numerous individuals pitched in - it truly became a team effort, like family."

The Hantavirus Outbreak

Three MV Hondius passengers have perished overall, with two cases verified as hantavirus.

The ship arrived at Tenerife's port on May 10, where evacuations to home countries are underway.

One evacuated US citizen showed a mild positive for the Andes hantavirus strain.

Hantavirus spreads mainly via rodents, though the Andes variant enables human-to-human transmission. The WHO deems global risk low but moderate for those on the ship.

A French passenger repatriated post-docking tested positive and faces worsening health, French Health Minister Stephanie Rist reported.

She was one of five French nationals onboard; the others tested negative initially but await retesting. Authorities have identified 22 contacts so far, Rist said on France Inter radio.

"Acting early to disrupt transmission chains is vital," she emphasized. "With the Prime Minister, we're enacting a new decree to bolster isolation for contacts and safeguard the public."