Spain's Canary Islands brace for hantavirus-stricken cruise ship
The MV Hondius cruise ship, held in quarantine off Cape Verde for days, has been redirected to the Canary Islands. Passengers and crew will be completely isolated before disembarking, with Spanish health authorities preparing for any further hantavirus cases.
The MV Hondius cruise ship, held in quarantine off Cape Verde for several days, has been redirected to the Canary Islands with the consent of Spanish health authorities. The 140 passengers and crew on board are to be completely isolated and put through medical screening before any disembarkation.
Investigators are tracing the outbreak to a rodent infestation aboard the vessel. Hantavirus is not spread person-to-person but can produce severe lung and kidney complications in those infected. One death and several severe cases have been reported so far.
Spanish health authorities are setting up a dedicated isolation corridor; passengers' onward transport home will be organised only afterwards. The episode is reviving questions about biosecurity procedures on Atlantic cruise routes. The Dutch operator running the ship has said it will absorb the medical costs of every affected guest.
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