Source: Radio New Zealand (world)
Hantavirus is typically spread by the inhalation of contaminated rodent droppings. Photo: AFP A hantavirus "contact" case has been quarantined in Pitcairn after a short transit in Tahiti over the weekend, French Polynesia's local government says.
Arriving from San Francisco, the passenger, described as a US citizen, had briefly transited in Tahiti and Mangareva on 7 May 2026 (local time) "without neither local authorities nor the French State being informed".
When local authorities became aware of the situation, French Polynesia's government said they held an emergency meeting. "The person concerned does not present any (hantavirus) symptom and is presently isolated in quarantine in Pitcairn," the government said in a statement on Monday. "She will not leave Pitcairn Island to transit via French Polynesia as long as she presents a potential risk to others." The statement said the government would continue to closely monitor the situation over the next five days regarding the evolution of the person's condition. • What exactly is the hantavirus outbreak and how worried should we be?
Meanwhile, French Polynesia and France stand "ready to support Pitcairn in the coming days, should the need arise". Pitcairn Island, located East of French Polynesia, is a British Overseas Territory in the Pacific, with an estimated population of less than 50.
Most residents are descendants of the HMS Bounty mutineers who settled there in 1790.
Returning from a cruise that started on the southernmost tip of South America [Ushuaia (Argentina) to Cape Verde], the passengers were transferred by boat to the island of Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands on 10 May.
Three people have died since the outbreak, and five passengers (who left the cruise ship MV Hondius before the outbreak was declared) have been confirmed to have been infected with hantavirus. One of five French people flown back to France is showing symptoms of hantavirus, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said on Monday.
The infected case has since developed symptoms that later required intensive care, but have since stabilised. "One of them showed symptoms in the repatriation plane," Lecornu posted on X. "These five passengers have immediately been placed in strict isolation until further notice …They are getting medical treatment and will undergo tests and a medical check-up." The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended that people evacuated from the cruise ship should quarantine for at least 42 days either at home or in hospital and undergo daily health checks.
WHO said the actual quarantine process is being managed by each individual country. Copyright © 2026, Radio New Zealand • Kiwi to quarantine in Australia after being evacuated from virus-hit ship 11 May 2026 Passengers on the hantavirus-stricken MV Hondius have started to disembark in a complex operation.
Audio Australians and New Zealander last to be evacuated from hantavirus-hit cruise ship Kiwi to quarantine in Australia after being evacuated from virus-hit ship Passengers on the hantavirus-stricken MV Hondius have started to disembark in a complex operation.
Audio • Spanish passengers start disembarkation from ship hit by hantavirus 11 May 2026 Passengers are not leaving the vessel until their repatriation flights arrive – and the one New Zealander understood to still be on the vessel, will be part of the final flight.
Audio Spanish passengers start disembarkation from ship hit by hantavirus Spanish passengers start disembarkation from ship hit by hantavirus Passengers are not leaving the vessel until their repatriation flights arrive – and the one New Zealander understood to still be on the vessel, will be part of the final flight.
Audio • NZers on cruise with hantavirus outbreak could face quarantine on return 10 May 2026 It's believed only one New Zealander is on board the MV Hondius, which is docking in the Canary Islands in Spain on Sunday.
NZers on cruise with hantavirus outbreak could face quarantine on return NZers on cruise with hantavirus outbreak could face quarantine on return It's believed only one New Zealander is on board the MV Hondius, which is docking in the Canary Islands in Spain on Sunday. • Hantavirus cruise ship outbreak: Nations scramble to repatriate citizens 10 May 2026 Emergency health measures include guarded transport vehicles, with WHO recommending a 42-day quarantine.
Countries prepare to evacuate hantavirus ship passengers Hantavirus cruise ship outbreak: Nations scramble to repatriate citizens Emergency health measures include guarded transport vehicles, with WHO recommending a 42-day quarantine. • Spain says first hantavirus ship evacuees to be repatriated Sunday local time 8 May 2026 The MV Hondius, which still has a New Zealander onboard, is scheduled to reach Granadilla on the island of Tenerife over the weekend.
Spanish government says first evacuees from hantavirus ship will be repatriated Sunday local time Spain says first hantavirus ship evacuees to be repatriated Sunday local time The MV Hondius, which still has a New Zealander onboard, is scheduled to reach Granadilla on the island of Tenerife over the weekend. • Global search for passengers with hantavirus, second Kiwi confirmed aboard ship 8 May 2026 The person disembarked from the MV Hondius when it arrived in St Helena last month.
Audio Countries track passengers of hantavirus-hit cruise ship Global search for passengers with hantavirus, second Kiwi confirmed aboard ship The person disembarked from the MV Hondius when it arrived in St Helena last month.
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