Three individuals suspected of hantavirus infection were evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship and are being transported to the Netherlands for medical treatment, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported Wednesday. The patients include German, Dutch, and British nationals, one of whom is a British crew member.
Oceanwide Expeditions, the cruise operator, confirmed that one medical evacuation flight carrying two patients landed in the Netherlands, while a second flight with another patient is delayed but stable. Details regarding the delay have not been disclosed.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) verified that one British national was evacuated to the Netherlands for care. Two other UK passengers previously aboard the Hondius have returned to the UK independently, currently show no symptoms, and have been advised to self-isolate. UKHSA stated the risk to the general public remains very low.
Despite opposition from Canary Islands officials, the Spanish government reaffirmed plans to allow the cruise ship to dock in the archipelago. Regional President Fernando Clavijo objected, stating the decision was made without sufficient local consultation or information. Tenerife’s mayor, José Domingo Regalado, also opposed docking the ship at the Granadilla port, citing concerns about proximity to the local population and urging the ship to be disinfected at sea instead.
Spain’s health minister, Monica Garcia Gomez, insisted the ship would dock at Granadilla within three days, with coordinated health assessments and evacuations planned for passengers. Officials also indicated that a planned evacuation flight for a symptomatic ship doctor to the Canary Islands was canceled, with treatment redirected to the Netherlands.
The MV Hondius departed Cape Verde and is en route to the Canary Islands, with the journey expected to take three to four days. Two infectious disease specialists from the Netherlands are traveling to the ship and will remain onboard after departure.
The hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship has resulted in nine suspected or confirmed cases worldwide with three deaths. Strains involved include the Andes strain, which is capable of human-to-human transmission and has been confirmed in cases in South Africa and Switzerland. Health authorities in several countries, including South Africa, Switzerland, and France, are monitoring related cases.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is coordinating with international partners and preparing medical support for 17 American passengers still aboard. Two Americans who have returned to Georgia are under observation but symptom-free.
WHO officials stated there is a low risk of a pandemic-level outbreak given hantavirus’s limited human-to-human transmission. Passengers have been advised to remain mostly in their cabins, with potential quarantine policies to be determined by health authorities in Spain or the Netherlands. The incubation period can be up to eight weeks, implying a possibly prolonged quarantine duration.
Why it matters
The decision to dock the MV Hondius in the Canary Islands despite local objections underlines challenges in managing infectious disease outbreaks on international vessels. Human-to-human transmission of the Andes strain heightens concerns for monitoring and containment. This situation tests coordination between local, national, and international health authorities while balancing public safety and passenger care.
Background
The Dutch-flagged MV Hondius departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1 for an expedition cruise. The hantavirus outbreak emerged while the cruise was anchored off Cape Verde since May 3. Hantavirus, typically transmitted from rodents, can cause severe respiratory illness, and the Andes strain is notable for potential human transmission, primarily reported in Argentina and Chile. The WHO and CDC are working closely with affected countries as the situation develops.
Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following source:
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