90-Second Read: Passengers begin leaving Hantavirus ship at Tenerife

Passengers on the cruise ship at the center of the Hantavirus outbreak started to leave the vessel Sunday morning at the Spanish island of Tenerife, authorities said. All of the more than 100 passengers are being tested for the Hantavirus, which is a rare disease typically caused by exposure to infected rats. The WHO reported on Friday that there are a total of six confirmed cases of the "Andes" Hantavirus variant linked to the cruise ship and two probable cases.

The disembarkation was "proceeding normally" and all passengers on the MV Hondius were still asymptomatic, Spain's health minister said. The passengers were being screened by public health authorities before being put on planes to be repatriated to their home countries. The passengers are being brought ashore by nationality via small boats, according to tour operator Oceanwide Expeditions.

Their luggage will remain aboard the ship, which will continue on to the Port of Rotterdam with the remaining crew. He first reported symptoms two weeks after leaving the vessel and is said be in a stable condition while isolating, according to media reports. The MV Hondius anchored early Sunday at the Port of Granadilla in the Canary Islands, where Spanish authorities set up large reception tents and restricted access to the waterfront.