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Hantavirus Outbreak: Cruise Ship Docked in Spain
6 May
Summary
- Three deaths reported due to suspected hantavirus on Hondius cruise ship.
- Spain allows ship to dock in Canary Islands for examination and repatriation.
- WHO investigates possibility of human-to-human hantavirus transmission.
A cruise ship, the Hondius, has docked in Spain's Canary Islands following a suspected outbreak of hantavirus that resulted in three deaths among passengers and crew. The Spanish Health Ministry, in coordination with the WHO and the EU, authorized the ship's docking to provide essential medical care and facilitate repatriation for the approximately 150 people on board.
The deceased include an elderly Dutch couple and a German national. The WHO is currently investigating seven suspected infections, with laboratory tests ongoing. While hantavirus is typically linked to environmental exposure from rodents, the WHO epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove indicated that human-to-human transmission is possible with the suspected Andes variant.
This unusual outbreak occurred while the ship was sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde. The WHO had noted Cape Verde's limited capacity to manage the situation, prompting Spain's intervention. The Canary Islands were chosen as the nearest suitable location to offer assistance, including airlifting the ship's doctor, who is in critical condition, to the islands.
Once in the Canary Islands, all passengers and crew will undergo medical examinations and receive any necessary treatment before being repatriated to their respective home countries. The Dutch operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, has stated that there were no rats aboard the ship.
