Spain authorises MV Hondius evacuation to Canary Islands following hantavirus outbreak
Three fatalities and two cases of urgent care among crew and passengers drive decision to relocate vessel for treatment
Spain has authorised the luxury cruise ship MV Hondius to sail from its anchorage off Cape Verde to the Canary Islands for the medical evacuation of 147 crew and passengers. The decision follows a directive from Spain's Ministry of Health, which stated that Cape Verde was unable to accommodate the evacuees due to a lack of necessary medical facilities. In contrast, the WHO confirmed that the Canary Islands possess the required capabilities to treat the affected individuals.
The move comes as the ship, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, faces a suspected hantavirus outbreak that has claimed three lives since April. The deceased include a Dutch couple and a German national, while two crew members currently require urgent medical attention. A British national evacuated from the vessel is also in intensive care in South Africa and has tested positive for the virus.
Upon arrival in either Gran Canaria or Tenerife, following a three-day journey, the evacuees will be examined and treated under strict safety protocols. The Spanish Health Ministry emphasised that medical care and transportation would be provided in special facilities and vehicles to prevent contact with the local population and protect health workers.
The WHO has noted that while human-to-human transmission is not common, rare cases have occurred among close contacts sharing cabins. Director Maria Van Kerkhove indicated that the Dutch couple may have been infected prior to boarding during their time in Argentina, given the typical incubation period of one to six weeks. The agency reiterated that there are no rats on board the vessel and that the risk to the wider public remains low.
The MV Hondius departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on 1 April on an Antarctic nature expedition visiting the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, and Tristan da Cunha. The Dutch government has stated it is preparing to receive the evacuated passengers, while the Dutch ship's doctor, who is gravely ill, is set to be transported to the Canary Islands via a separate medical flight.
All necessary safety measures will be implemented in coordination with the European Centre for Disease Prevention Control and the WHO. Once treated, the remaining crew and passengers will be repatriated to their respective countries, with the Spanish Health Ministry citing a moral and legal obligation to assist the group, which includes several Spanish citizens.
