Fernando Clavijo, the president of the Canary Islands, has expressed strong opposition to the Spanish government’s decision to allow the MV Hondius cruise ship, which is experiencing a hantavirus outbreak, to dock in the Canary Islands. In statements made to Onda Cero, Clavijo highlighted his concerns regarding the lack of “technical criteria” and insufficient information to protect the Canarian population. He has called for an “urgent meeting” with Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez, emphasizing that the safety of the islands must come first.<\/p>\n
Clavijo has criticized the Spanish government for its “institutional disloyalty” and accused Health Minister M\u00f3nica Garc\u00eda of failing to communicate the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines. “I cannot allow him to enter the Canary Islands,” he firmly reiterated.<\/p>\n
Despite Clavijo’s concerns, the Spanish public broadcaster TVE reports that the MV Hondius will indeed dock in Tenerife. The Spanish Ministry of Health has designated this island as the primary location for providing medical care to the ship’s passengers if necessary. With two first-level public hospitals, including Hospital Nuestra Se\u00f1ora de la Candelaria in Santa Cruz and the Universitario de Canarias (HUC) in La Laguna, Tenerife is prepared for any required medical assistance.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Health has confirmed that a medical plane designated to transport an infected Dutch doctor due to hantavirus has not yet departed from Cape Verde. The situation is serious, and the Dutch government has formally requested support for this medical evacuation, which the Spanish government has agreed to facilitate.<\/p>\n
Hantavirus is primarily transmitted through contact with the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents. Other forms of transmission include touching contaminated surfaces. The Ministry of Health has documented a few rare cases of limited human-to-human transmission, particularly involving specific hantaviruses in Argentina. Symptoms of hantavirus infection can manifest as fever, muscle pain, gastrointestinal problems, and in severe cases, respiratory failure and hypotension.<\/p>\n
Albert Dalmau, the Minister of the Presidency of the Generalitat, reassured the public via his social media that the government is actively communicating with Catalan passengers onboard the MV Hondius. He stated they are working closely with authorities to ensure the well-being and proper care of these passengers.<\/p>\n
The MV Hondius, which encountered this hantavirus crisis, departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1. Initially scheduled to arrive in the Canary Islands on May 4, the ship has been anchored near Cape Verde since May 3 while undergoing medical assessments.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Cape Verde’s Ministry of Health is expecting another medical plane to arrive shortly to facilitate the evacuation of three remaining infected patients aboard the cruise ship. Following the arrival of the first medical transport, a specialist doctor will also be brought in to assist with care on board.<\/p>\n
The Spanish Ministry of Health stated that once all conditions are met for the MV Hondius to resume its journey, it is expected to arrive in the Canary Islands within 3 to 4 days, although the specific port of arrival has yet to be determined.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Health announced that the WHO, alongside the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), is currently developing a joint protocol for managing potential hantavirus cases. This initiative aims to outline the procedures for examination, care, and transfer of passengers to ensure public health safety.<\/p>\n