Three passengers suspected of contracting the hantavirus were evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship, which has been at the center of a health crisis in the Canary Islands. The evacuation, confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO), involved a German, a Dutch, and a British national, including a crew member. The outbreak has already claimed three lives among the cruise’s passengers, raising concerns about the virus’s spread.
The situation has become complicated as the Spanish government announced plans for the ship to dock in the Canary Islands, despite earlier objections from local officials. Fernando Clavijo, head of the Canary Islands’ regional government, expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision-making process, emphasizing the need for transparency and proper communication with local institutions. He stated, “The Canary Islands always acts with responsibility, but it cannot accept decisions taken behind the backs of the Canary Islands institutions and without sufficient information to the population.”
Despite Clavijo’s concerns, Spain’s Health Minister Monica Garcia Gomez reaffirmed the government’s commitment to having the MV Hondius dock in Granadilla, Tenerife, within three days. She outlined a plan for health assessments and possible evacuation of all passengers, contingent on their medical conditions. The minister noted she had been in constant communication with Clavijo and assured him of his involvement in the ongoing discussions.
Meanwhile, the evacuation of the cruise ship’s doctor, who was showing symptoms of the virus, was initially planned but later canceled. Instead, the sick individuals will receive treatment in the Netherlands. This decision came amid increasing scrutiny of the outbreak’s impact, as South African health authorities confirmed the presence of the Andes strain of hantavirus in two passengers who had been aboard the cruise.
The Andes strain, primarily found in South America, poses a unique risk as it can be transmitted from person to person, unlike other strains. Swiss health officials also reported a case linked to the cruise, stating that a man who returned home after traveling on the ship tested positive for the same strain. The French Ministry of Health noted a confirmed contact case associated with a flight taken by one of the evacuated patients.
Currently, a British national remains in intensive care in South Africa due to complications related to the virus. The WHO reported that a 69-year-old Dutch woman, who exhibited gastrointestinal symptoms after disembarking the ship, tragically died shortly after being evacuated. This brings the total number of suspected or confirmed cases linked to the outbreak to nine, with three fatalities and five individuals receiving medical treatment.
The MV Hondius, a luxury cruise ship operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, had embarked on its journey from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1. After a stopover in Cape Verde, the ship has remained anchored off the coast since Sunday, awaiting further instructions from health authorities. Two infectious disease specialists are en route to the vessel to assist with the situation.
While the WHO has indicated that there is no immediate threat of a pandemic stemming from this outbreak, Ann Lindstrand, the organization’s representative in Cape Verde, acknowledged the anxiety among passengers. She stated that those aboard have been advised to stay in their cabins as discussions continue regarding their future. Lindstrand emphasized that any quarantine measures would be determined by health authorities in Spain or the Netherlands, in collaboration with the WHO. The potential quarantine could last up to two months, given the virus’s incubation period of one to eight weeks.
As the situation evolves, passengers have expressed concerns about their health and the uncertainty of their next steps. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness, reassured those on board that efforts are underway to address their fears and ensure their safety. The passengers are reportedly coping well under the circumstances, although they are eager for clearer communication regarding their future plans.
Source: CBS News
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