Cruise Ship with Hantavirus Heading to Canary Islands
A cruise ship currently quarantined off the coast of Cape Verde due to a hantavirus outbreak is expected to dock in the Canary Islands in three days. The arrival of the MV Hondius will trigger a major repatriation operation under the European Civil Protection Mechanism, Spanish officials announced on Monday.
The operation follows a formal request from the World Health Organization (WHO), which identified the Canary Islands as the nearest port with the technical expertise and public health infrastructure required to handle the crisis safely. Speaking at a press conference in Madrid, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska emphasized that the mission is driven by “humanitarian, ethical, and moral” obligations, as well as international treaties.
Security and Repatriation Protocols
Health Minister Mónica García assured the public that the operation will be conducted with “all necessary security guarantees.” To prevent any local transmission, those on board will be transferred directly to transport vessels or aircraft without coming into contact with the local population of the Canary Islands.
Currently, the 146 people remaining on board are reportedly asymptomatic. Upon arrival, all passengers and crew will undergo rigorous medical examinations. Those who do not require urgent medical care will be immediately repatriated to their home countries. The ship is carrying 149 people of 23 different nationalities, including 88 passengers.
The 14 Spanish nationals on board will be flown via military aircraft to a specialized military hospital in Madrid. They will remain in quarantine for up to 45 days, the maximum incubation period for the virus.
A Deadly Outbreak at Sea
The MV Hondius departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on March 20 for a wildlife observation voyage through the South Atlantic. The situation turned dire between April 6 and 28 when passengers began reporting high fevers and gastrointestinal distress, which rapidly progressed to pneumonia and acute respiratory syndrome.
To date, three people have died from the infection. Two cases have been laboratory-confirmed as hantavirus, with five additional suspected cases. Earlier today, three individuals showing symptoms were evacuated from the ship and transported to the Netherlands for specialized treatment.
Regional Political Friction
Despite the central government’s assurances, the decision to host the ship has sparked controversy. The regional government of the Canary Islands has questioned why the disembarkation cannot be handled in Cape Verde. Regional President Fernando Clavijo expressed frustration over a lack of transparency, stating he had not been briefed on the specific strain of the virus or the details of the agreement between Spain and the WHO.
In response, federal ministers insisted they have maintained contact with regional leaders and will continue to share real-time updates as the ship approaches. While the situation is grave for those on board, the WHO currently assesses the risk of a broader global outbreak as low.
Image: Pexels – Jan van der Wolf
