A cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak has docked in Tenerife, Spain, where its 147 passengers are set to disembark during a meticulously planned repatriation process involving multiple countries.
As the MV Hondius arrived at the Port of Granadilla at dawn, small boats with flashing lights approached the vessel.
Shadows were visible through the curtained windows of the ship as a tugboat neared it, and a masked figure was seen at the entrance. Meanwhile, hazmat-suited personnel and officials wearing “World Health Organization” gear waited at the dock.
Local health authorities, led by Spain’s health minister Mónica García, stated that medical teams would board the ship to conduct health checks on its passengers and crew. Following these evaluations, passengers will be returned to their home nations.
The ship, which departed Argentina last month, has been associated with three confirmed hantavirus-related deaths, a rare disease usually contracted through contact with infected rodents’ excrement. Other passengers have been evacuated for medical attention.
Officials indicated that the ship would anchor at a safe distance from the dock. Passengers will be brought ashore in small boats, each with a maximum capacity of ten people, as per guidelines from Oceanwide Expeditions.
Various countries, including the US, Germany, France, Belgium, Ireland, and the Netherlands, are deploying aircraft to facilitate the evacuation of their citizens from the ship. According to Oceanwide, the order of disembarkation will be arranged in line with the arrivals of repatriation flights, with luggage remaining on the ship for later retrieval.
A representative from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that the 17 American passengers, who are currently asymptomatic, will be taken to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, which houses the National Quarantine Unit.
After an initial assessment at the medical center, passengers will be monitored at home for 42 days, with daily check-ins anticipated.
Fourteen Spanish passengers are to be the first to disembark, wearing FFP2 masks. This will also apply to those involved in transfer logistics, according to further statements from García over the weekend.
These passengers will be taken to a military hospital for individual accommodations, with restrictions on visitors. They will undergo PCR testing upon their arrival, followed by another test a week later, as confirmed by the health ministry.
Dutch passengers on board will also be among the first to leave the ship, as announced on Sunday.
The ship’s arrival has sparked concerns in the Canary Islands, with local leader Fernando Clavijo expressing his disapproval of the ship’s docking.
There have also been protests from port workers in Tenerife, who have raised concerns about insufficient communication regarding potential risks.
The ship is scheduled to continue its journey to Rotterdam in the Netherlands, where the crew will disembark, and the vessel will undergo a thorough disinfection process.
The outbreak was initially reported to the World Health Organization on May 2 and is currently categorized as a low risk to the general public, according to WHO statements.
CNN has reached out to the Ports of Tenerife and the office of Fernando Clavijo for feedback.
CNN’s Adam Cancryn, Brenda Goodman, Jennifer Hansler, Deidre McPhillips, and Christian Edwards contributed to this report.
Key Takeaways
- The MV Hondius has docked in Tenerife following a hantavirus outbreak linked to its recent voyage from Argentina.
- Medical teams will conduct health assessments on all passengers before they are repatriated.
- A total of 17 American passengers will be sent to a specialized medical facility in Nebraska.
- Countries including the US, Germany, and France have organized evacuations for their citizens aboard the ship.
- Fourteen Spanish passengers will be the first to disembark and will be monitored in a military hospital.
FAQ
What caused the hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius?
The outbreak is believed to be linked to contact with infected rodents’ urine or feces during the ship’s journey.
How are passengers being evacuated from the ship?
Passengers will be evacuated in small groups, with their departure coordinated with repatriation flights from their respective countries.
What will happen to the ship after the passengers disembark?
The ship will continue to Rotterdam for crew disembarkation and will undergo a thorough disinfection process.
Is the public at risk from this outbreak?
According to the World Health Organization, the hantavirus outbreak is currently considered a low risk to the general public.
