Confirmed Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship in the Netherlands
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Wednesday that a hantavirus outbreak has occurred on the cruise ship Hondius in the Netherlands. This particular strain is typically found in Argentina, and it’s known to transmit between humans.
The ship, a luxury cruise vessel that departed Argentina on its way to Spain’s Canary Islands, is currently quarantined after the outbreak was recorded. As of Wednesday morning, it was left stranded off the coast of Cape Verde after being denied landing permission.
According to the WHO, three out of eight individuals aboard have tested positive for the virus. Tragically, three others have already succumbed to the illness.
Reports indicated that a 56-year-old British national, a 41-year-old Dutch man, and a 65-year-old German citizen have been airlifted to the Netherlands for treatment.
Additionally, a Swiss man on board has been detained and is receiving treatment for the virus at a Zurich hospital. Swiss officials emphasized that the local populace is not at risk at this time.
On Tuesday, Spain’s socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced actions in collaboration with the WHO and the European Union to manage the situation onboard the Hondius. This includes plans to take the crew and passengers to the Canary Islands after the Cape Verdean government failed to implement necessary health measures. While the ship is expected to arrive at the nearest island in the coming days, it’s unclear which one will accommodate the vessel.
This decision sparked strong opposition from the president of the Canary Islands’ regional government. President Fernando Clavijo publicly criticized Prime Minister Sánchez, claiming he responded to the crisis insincerely and without adequate technical support.
Clavijo addressed local media, stating that he is against allowing the ship to dock, expressing frustration over the lack of consultation and information from the Sánchez administration, which he found embarrassing. He called for an emergency meeting to discuss the situation.
In a statement, Clavijo mentioned, “This morning, after the news broke, I reached out to President Sánchez via WhatsApp for an urgent conversation.” He indicated that a technical meeting had concluded without a proper report to justify the decision.
He emphasized that the safety of the Canary Islands’ residents should not be compromised by lax governance. “Why send passengers on a lengthy three-day trip to the Canary Islands when their needs could be met in Cape Verde? If they aren’t infected and no health crisis exists, shouldn’t they just return to the Netherlands?” he questioned.
During an interview, Clavijo reiterated that he hadn’t received any medical or epidemiological assessments justifying the ship’s arrival in the Canary Islands, only a brief WhatsApp informing him about the evacuation.
He also communicated similar concerns to Spanish public broadcaster RTVE, asserting that the decision to permit cruise ships to dock in the Canary Islands was political rather than based on technical needs. There seems to be a troubling lack of understanding here.
