France, Netherlands say all hantavirus contact cases negative

France’s health minister announced that 26 individuals in France, identified as close contacts of hantavirus cases linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship, have tested negative for the illness. These individuals are currently in hospital isolation, with 22 of them being close contacts of a Dutch woman associated with the outbreak. Additionally, Dutch authorities confirmed that all passengers who arrived in the Netherlands on evacuation flights from the MV Hondius have also tested negative for hantavirus. The MV Hondius has been at the center of a hantavirus outbreak, with the World Health Organization (WHO) confirming six cases linked to the ship. A U.S. passenger tested "mildly positive" for the virus; however, the WHO has classified this result as "inconclusive" at this time. The ship has recently arrived in Spain’s Canary Islands, where small groups of passengers and crew have begun to disembark. Officials indicated that these individuals are expected to fly back to their home countries. In a related development, the Spanish government has agreed to accept the urgent transfer of a doctor from the MV Hondius who is in serious condition due to hantavirus. This transfer is part of an operation coordinated with the WHO and the European Union to provide medical assistance to those affected by the outbreak. The doctor will be transported using a "hospitalised aircraft."