First batch of passengers evacuated from hantavirus-hit cruise ship in Spain
The first group of passengers has been evacuated from the hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius in Spanish waters, as authorities continue a phased disembarkation operation.
Footage from Sunday showed police vehicles escorting several buses away from the Port of Granadilla in Spain’s Canary Islands.
The vessel remained offshore while nearly 150 passengers and crew were evacuated in stages for medical screening and repatriation. Flights are expected to continue through Monday, May 11.
Spain allowed the ship to anchor off Granadilla under strict health measures after days of discussions with regional authorities, who had initially raised concerns over possible public health risks. The World Health Organisation has said the overall public risk remains low.
The outbreak is believed to have started after exposure during the ship’s South America itinerary, before it departed Ushuaia on April 1. Contact tracing has since expanded across several continents after some passengers left the vessel in Saint Helena before the outbreak was confirmed.
South African authorities also began tracing contacts after a Dutch woman became seriously ill while travelling and later died after being taken off a flight in Johannesburg. Officials in Saint Helena said local contacts had been identified and given health guidance.
The WHO has reported eight cases linked to the outbreak, including six confirmed and two probable cases. Three deaths have been recorded.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
