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<\/p>\nTwo Irish people on board a virus-hit cruise ship are \u201csafe and well\u201d, the Minister for Foreign Affairs has said.<\/p>\n
Three people in total have died linked to an outbreak of hantavirus on the MV Hondius.<\/p>\n
The outbreak has been connected to a birdwatching expedition in Argentina, which two of the passengers went on before boarding the ship.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Speaking in County Armagh on Friday, Helen McEntee said: In terms of the two Irish passengers, I am pleased to say that they are safe and well.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said her team has been \u201cengaging directly with them\u201d and also with the Health Service Executive (HSE) to see what measures \u201cwould need to be taken when they do get home\u201d.<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cBut obviously the priority is to make sure that they can get home as quickly as possible, and we\u2019re working with them and engaging with them.\u201d<\/p>\n
It is a \u201cvery difficult situation\u201d for the families of those who have died, Ms McEntee said \u201cand for all of those on board\u201d.<\/p>\n
The boat left Cape Verde on Wednesday and is expected to arrive at a port in Tenerife in the early hours of Sunday, but this is subject to change.<\/p>\n
Experts believe the incubation period for the virus in the human body can extend to six weeks.<\/p>\n
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is not expecting the outbreak to be an epidemic.<\/p>\n
Ms McEntee was responding to questions following a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council.<\/p>\n
She and other leaders were asked if there will be more of a cross-border response to diseases such as hantavirus.<\/p>\n
Northern Ireland\u2019s deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said viruses \u201cdon\u2019t respect borders\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that it is logical that we do have that co-operation, that we do improve in relation to those communications,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She said regardless of unionist or nationalist positions \u201cwhere it is practical, we should co-operate\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere it is actually about the protection of our citizens, of course we should co-operate and that\u2019s why we should build those good relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: \u201cIt\u2019s imperative that public health officials have good relationships and, thankfully, public health officials on both sides of the border have very good relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n
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