Canary Islands refuses to allow MV Hondius with hantavirus to dock
Summary
The Canary Islands have refused to let the cruise ship MV Hondius dock because of a hantavirus outbreak on board. Although the Spanish government said the ship could dock, local leaders said they did not have enough information to keep people safe. About 150 passengers remain on the ship, and three have died from the virus.Key Facts
- MV Hondius is a luxury cruise ship with an ongoing hantavirus outbreak.
- Hantavirus is a rare disease spread by contact with rodents or their droppings.
- Three passengers (a Dutch couple and a German citizen) have died from hantavirus on the ship.
- Around 150 people from 23 countries are still on board the MV Hondius.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed eight cases linked to the ship, including three confirmed and five suspected infections.
- Spain’s central government said the ship could dock in the Canary Islands under international law and humanitarian rules.
- Canary Islands’ local authorities refused docking due to safety concerns and lack of information.
- Some infected passengers were evacuated to other countries for treatment, including the Netherlands and Switzerland.
- The disease has low risk for the general public and usually spreads only by close, long contact between people.
- The ship left Argentina in late March and the outbreak was first reported while heading to Cape Verde.
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