Spain agrees to let hantavirus-hit cruise ship dock in Canary Islands
Summary
Spain has allowed a cruise ship affected by a hantavirus outbreak to dock in the Canary Islands after Cape Verde could not accept the ship. The ship has 147 people on board, including some who are seriously ill or have died from the virus, which is usually spread by rodents and rarely between people.Key Facts
- The cruise ship MV Hondius was anchored near Cape Verde but was not allowed to dock there due to the outbreak.
- Spain’s Canary Islands are the closest place with proper medical care for the ill passengers and crew.
- Three people, including a Dutch couple and a German national, have died from hantavirus on the ship.
- A British passenger is in intensive care in South Africa.
- The ship carries 88 passengers and 59 crew from 23 countries.
- The virus typically spreads through contact with rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, but some human-to-human spread may have occurred among close contacts on the ship.
- The ship will dock in Gran Canaria or Tenerife after medical evacuations, and passengers will be examined, treated, and sent home safely.
- Authorities will use special medical facilities and transport to prevent spreading the virus to the local community.
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