Irish leader issues update on Irish nationals evacuated from hantavirus-stricken cruise ship

The hantavirus-stricken ship docked in Tenerife on Sunday morning, with passengers evacuated to various countries around the world.

Two Irish women were on board the cruise and were picked up by a government jet to be brought back to Ireland on Sunday night.

They were said to have followed isolation protocols on the ship and were in "good health" after landing at a military air base in west Dublin.

The pair were then set to be escorted to a HSE facility to be monitored while quarantining.

Speaking in Waterford on Monday, Martin said he was pleased that the women are healthy and back in Ireland.

He told reporters: "We wish them well, and we appreciate the tolerance and patience that they have shown through what has been a very trying period.

"Public health specialists are on top of that and working with all concerned."

It will likely take around six weeks for the two women to be fully quarantined to ensure that they are not carrying the infection.

On Saturday night, the Department of Health stated: "We understand that the two Irish passengers are currently well. Public health protocols will be followed once the ship has docked with regard to certification and assessment of the health of passengers. This will be overseen by the ECDC and the Spanish authorities.

"Repatriation plans have been put in place by the Irish Government to transfer the two Irish passengers directly from Tenerife to Ireland upon disembarkation, contingent on their health status.

"On arrival in Ireland, they will be safely transferred to a HSE facility. They will need to quarantine for a period of time, in line with ECDC guidance and will be actively monitored during this time. If they become symptomatic, they will be assessed and treated as appropriate."

The department added that the risk to public health is low.

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.