Cruise Ship With Hantavirus Outbreak Heads to Canary Islands for Evacuation
MV Hondius expected to reach Tenerife waters on Sunday; WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to assist with evacuation.
GRANADILLA DE ABONA, Spain: The Dutch-flagged MV Hondius, carrying a deadly hantavirus outbreak affecting nearly 150 people on board, is en route to the Canary Islands.
Upon arrival off Tenerife, most passengers will be evacuated and flown home after weeks at sea.
Three passengers have died — a Dutch couple and a German woman — while others are suffering from the rare disease that primarily spreads among rodents.
The only hantavirus type confirmed on board is the Andes virus, capable of person-to-person transmission, raising international concern.
In response to this situation, white tents have been set up along the quay at Granadilla de Abona port, although daily life remains largely unaffected by the health crisis.
Regional authorities have denied docking permission, opting instead for offshore screening and evacuation between Sunday and Monday.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed six of eight suspected cases aboard the MV Hondius, with no further suspected cases remaining on the ship.
The vessel departed from Cape Verde, where three infected individuals had already been evacuated earlier in the week.
Upon arrival, a portion of the crew will remain on board as the ship continues its journey to the Netherlands.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived in Spain before meeting with local authorities and emphasizing that the risk posed by the incoming ship is low.
Health and interior ministers from Spain have assured the public that no contact will be made with the local population, with passengers being evacuated swiftly to their respective home countries.
The 14 Spanish nationals on board will be evacuated first, followed by those from other nationalities including the US, Britain, and France.
The evacuation operation will adhere to strict health protocols, ensuring the containment of any potential risks to the surrounding population.
Upon arrival off Tenerife, most passengers will be evacuated and flown home after weeks at sea.
Three passengers have died — a Dutch couple and a German woman — while others are suffering from the rare disease that primarily spreads among rodents.
The only hantavirus type confirmed on board is the Andes virus, capable of person-to-person transmission, raising international concern.
In response to this situation, white tents have been set up along the quay at Granadilla de Abona port, although daily life remains largely unaffected by the health crisis.
Regional authorities have denied docking permission, opting instead for offshore screening and evacuation between Sunday and Monday.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed six of eight suspected cases aboard the MV Hondius, with no further suspected cases remaining on the ship.
The vessel departed from Cape Verde, where three infected individuals had already been evacuated earlier in the week.
Upon arrival, a portion of the crew will remain on board as the ship continues its journey to the Netherlands.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived in Spain before meeting with local authorities and emphasizing that the risk posed by the incoming ship is low.
Health and interior ministers from Spain have assured the public that no contact will be made with the local population, with passengers being evacuated swiftly to their respective home countries.
The 14 Spanish nationals on board will be evacuated first, followed by those from other nationalities including the US, Britain, and France.
The evacuation operation will adhere to strict health protocols, ensuring the containment of any potential risks to the surrounding population.
