'Hantavirus' Cruise Ship to Arrive in the Canary Islands on May 10

WHO Chief to Oversee Disembarkation in Person

European Health Authorities Recommend Six Weeks of Isolation Even After Negative Test

The Hondius, a Dutch-flagged cruise ship where multiple suspected cases of Hantavirus infection—including the deaths of three passengers—have occurred, is scheduled to arrive in Spain's Canary Islands on the morning of May 10 (local time).

According to AFP and other sources on this day, Monica Garcia Gomez, Spain's Minister of Health, announced that the vessel, which departed from the territorial waters of Cape Verde in West Africa, is expected to arrive in the Canary Islands between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. on May 10.

Cruise ship Hondius, spread with Hantavirus. Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News Agency

The Hondius was denied entry at several ports, including Cape Verde, due to concerns about infection and community spread. Ultimately, it headed for the Canary Islands after Spain agreed to accept the vessel at the request of the World Health Organization (WHO). The Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of Africa, west of Morocco. The ship was originally scheduled to dock at the port of Tenerife, the largest island in the Canaries. However, due to strong opposition from Tenerife residents and local port workers, the vessel is expected to remain offshore near Tenerife without docking, with preparations underway for passenger disembarkation and repatriation.

Currently, the process of disembarking approximately 140 passengers and crew of more than 20 nationalities who remain on the ship will be carried out under the supervision of the WHO.

Minister Gomez stated, "The disembarkation will take place under strict quarantine procedures," adding, "Everyone will be tested to confirm they are asymptomatic, and will only be allowed to leave the ship if a repatriation flight is available and waiting in Tenerife." Disembarking individuals may only bring a small carry-on bag containing essential items such as a mobile phone and identification, while all other luggage must remain onboard. The cruise operator, based in the Netherlands, along with the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Belgium, and Ireland, plan to send aircraft to repatriate their respective nationals from the cruise ship. Additionally, the European Union (EU) will provide two extra planes to transport other European passengers.

Minister Gomez added, "The luggage and remains of the deceased will also remain onboard with some crew members and will not be brought ashore in the Canary Islands," further explaining, "Afterward, this vessel will proceed to its final destination in the Netherlands, where the ship will be disinfected."

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has announced that, even if someone tests negative for the virus, up to six weeks of isolation will be recommended.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). Photo by AFP

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), is scheduled to visit the Canary Islands on May 10 to supervise the disembarkation and transfer of passengers in cooperation with Spanish and Dutch authorities. Director-General Tedros also addressed local residents with a reassuring message. Speaking at a joint press conference with the Spanish government in Madrid on May 9, he emphasized, "The pain of 2020 is still vivid, but I can clearly state that this is not another 'COVID-19'." He added, "According to WHO doctors dispatched to the cruise ship, there are currently no additional passengers or crew showing symptoms of Hantavirus infection onboard," and "At present, the public health risk posed by this virus is considered low."

Director-General Tedros explained that passengers who disembark from the cruise ship will be transported to Granadilla Industrial Port in Tenerife, and then, using sealed and controlled vehicles, will be transferred directly to flights returning them to their respective home countries. He assured residents, "You and your families will not come into contact with them." He further added, "Tenerife was chosen because it has the medical capacity, infrastructure, and compassion to ensure the safety of these cruise passengers."

To date, there have been a total of eight suspected cases of Hantavirus infection on this cruise ship, including three deaths, and six of these cases have been confirmed through laboratory analysis.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.