Australia secures aircraft to repatriate cruise passengers from Hantavirus outbreak
The Australian government has secured two aircraft to repatriate Australian citizens stranded on a cruise ship hit by Hantavirus cases off the South American coast. Health teams are standing by in Buenos Aires.
Australia's Foreign Affairs Department announced two charter aircraft to evacuate 350 Australians on board a cruise ship under quarantine off the South American coast. The first flight will depart Buenos Aires on 14 May.
The passengers, who had been on a tour beginning in December, were informed they could not disembark in Tierra del Fuego because of Hantavirus cases. Officials said two passengers were transferred to hospital during this period and one remains in intensive care.
The Australian Health Department announced that returning passengers will undergo a 72-hour quarantine followed by 14 days of remote medical monitoring. Coordination with the health ministries of Chile and Argentina is ongoing throughout the evacuation.
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