Evacuation of Hantavirus-Hit Ship Begins in Canary Islands
Repatriation Operation Underway as Health Authorities Race Against Time to Complete Evacuation Before Adverse Weather Sets In.
Occupants of the cruise ship MV Hondius, which has been struck by a deadly hantavirus outbreak, began their evacuation from Spain’s Canary Islands on Sunday.
This complex repatriation operation involves transporting nearly 150 passengers and crew members to various destinations around the world before the vessel continues its journey to the Netherlands.
Health officials emphasize that while the situation presents a low risk to global public health, it has raised international concern due to the rarity of hantavirus outbreaks and the lack of specific treatments or vaccines.
The ship, which departed from Argentina in April, had arrived at Tenerife early on Sunday morning from Cape Verde.
Three passengers have died so far, and several others have contracted the disease, which is primarily spread among rodents.
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed six cases out of eight suspected ones, and no additional suspected cases remain on the ship.
Spanish authorities have taken precautions to ensure that all passengers are asymptomatic and have undergone final medical assessments before disembarking.
Repatriation flights for various nationalities were scheduled to depart on Sunday, including one carrying 14 Spaniards who will undergo quarantine at a military hospital in Madrid.
Further flights for citizens of Canada, Turkey, France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States are also planned.
The operation must be completed by Monday due to concerns about adverse weather conditions forcing the ship to leave the Canary Islands.
Regional authorities have resisted taking in the ship, instead allowing it to anchor offshore.
The WHO praised Spain’s efforts in handling this situation with technical rigor, scientific transparency, and international cooperation.
Pope Leo XIV also expressed gratitude to the Canary Islands for their solidarity during a Sunday prayer at the Vatican.
The confirmed cases involve the Andes virus type, which is transmissible between humans.
Health authorities in several countries are tracking passengers who disembarked earlier and anyone who may have come into contact with them.
The exact origin of the outbreak remains under investigation, but it is believed that infection occurred before departure from Argentina and then spread among passengers onboard.
This complex repatriation operation involves transporting nearly 150 passengers and crew members to various destinations around the world before the vessel continues its journey to the Netherlands.
Health officials emphasize that while the situation presents a low risk to global public health, it has raised international concern due to the rarity of hantavirus outbreaks and the lack of specific treatments or vaccines.
The ship, which departed from Argentina in April, had arrived at Tenerife early on Sunday morning from Cape Verde.
Three passengers have died so far, and several others have contracted the disease, which is primarily spread among rodents.
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed six cases out of eight suspected ones, and no additional suspected cases remain on the ship.
Spanish authorities have taken precautions to ensure that all passengers are asymptomatic and have undergone final medical assessments before disembarking.
Repatriation flights for various nationalities were scheduled to depart on Sunday, including one carrying 14 Spaniards who will undergo quarantine at a military hospital in Madrid.
Further flights for citizens of Canada, Turkey, France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States are also planned.
The operation must be completed by Monday due to concerns about adverse weather conditions forcing the ship to leave the Canary Islands.
Regional authorities have resisted taking in the ship, instead allowing it to anchor offshore.
The WHO praised Spain’s efforts in handling this situation with technical rigor, scientific transparency, and international cooperation.
Pope Leo XIV also expressed gratitude to the Canary Islands for their solidarity during a Sunday prayer at the Vatican.
The confirmed cases involve the Andes virus type, which is transmissible between humans.
Health authorities in several countries are tracking passengers who disembarked earlier and anyone who may have come into contact with them.
The exact origin of the outbreak remains under investigation, but it is believed that infection occurred before departure from Argentina and then spread among passengers onboard.
