Hantavirus-hit ship Hondius plans Canary Islands arrival amid evacuations

A cruise ship named MV Hondius, which has a virus outbreak on board, is still planning to go to the Canary Islands after medical evacuations. However, the president of the islands, Fernando Clavijo, has said he does not want the ship to enter.

The ship is currently anchored near Cape Verde. Three people are being evacuated today. The ship operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, said two of them have serious symptoms and will be taken for treatment in the Netherlands. The third person was close to a passenger who died on May 2.

The ship had reported an outbreak of hantavirus. Several passengers have been infected, and three people have died so far. One infected person is also in a hospital in Switzerland after traveling on the ship. Started its journey from Argentina on April 1 and was expected to reach the Canary Islands soon. But, there is uncertainty because local authorities are worried about the virus.

Two infectious disease doctors from the Netherlands are on their way to the ship, and one medical expert is already on board. Company says it is talking with authorities about where the ship will go, and how quarantine and health checks will be done.

Health experts say hantavirus is not easily spread from person to person in most cases. It mainly spreads through contact with infected rodents, which means the risk to general public remains low but still serious in closed environments like ships.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and may take strict quarantine steps before allowing the ship to dock anywhere. Final decisions about its arrival and passenger safety will depend on medical reports and government approvals.

What is Hantavirus?

Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS)  is a rare virus that spreads mainly through contact with infected rodents. People can get it by breathing in particles from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. It can cause serious illness, including lung problems or kidney failure, and can be deadly in some cases.