The United States Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed that one of 17 American citizens evacuated from a cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak tested mildly positive for the disease.
In a statement released on Sunday, the department disclosed that another passenger was also experiencing mild symptoms associated with the virus.
According to the agency, the infected passenger tested mildly positive for the Andes virus through a PCR test.
Health officials said both passengers were being transported in specialised biocontainment units aboard the evacuation flight as a precautionary measure.
The affected Americans were evacuated from the Canary Islands in Spain, where the cruise ship, MV Hondius, had docked during the voyage.
Authorities disclosed that the evacuees would be moved to a specialised treatment facility in the rural state of Nebraska upon arrival in the United States, while the passenger showing symptoms would be transferred to a separate medical centre for further monitoring.
The department stated that all returning passengers would undergo clinical evaluations and receive medical attention based on their health conditions.
The outbreak aboard the MV Hondius has already claimed three lives, while several other passengers reportedly fell ill during the voyage.
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially deadly disease commonly spread through exposure to infected rodents or their droppings.