UPDATE 1-US arranging repatriation flight for Americans on hantavirus-hit cruise ship

The ​United States ‌is arranging a ​repatriation flight to return American passengers on a Dutch ‌cruise ship hit by an outbreak of a deadly strain of hantavirus, the U.S. Department ‌of State said on Friday. There are 17 American passengers ⁠aboard ⁠the ship, according to cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions.

The ​United States ‌is arranging a ​repatriation flight to return American passengers on a Dutch ‌cruise ship hit by an outbreak of a deadly strain of hantavirus, the U.S. Department ‌of State said on Friday. "The Department of ‌State is closely tracking the hantavirus outbreak on a Dutch cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean ⁠and maintaining ​close contact ⁠with the cruise ship staff, Americans on board, and ⁠U.S. and international health authorities," a State Department ​spokesperson said in a statement.

The spokesperson said ⁠the department is in direct contact with Americans ⁠on ​board and is ready to provide consular assistance as soon as the ship ⁠arrives in Tenerife, Spain. There are 17 American passengers ⁠aboard ⁠the ship, according to cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions.