The Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius docked at the port of Granadilla, in Tenerife, in Ilhas Canárias, with more than 140 passengers and crew after a hantavirus outbreak was confirmed during navigation. The vessel departed Argentina in April and faced rejection from several ports before being allowed by Espanha to disembark in the early hours of Sunday. The Spanish authorities implemented an unprecedented total isolation protocol to receive the vessel, with a fenced area in the port and complete separation from the local population.
Protocolo landing in isolated area
Ministério of the Spanish Saúde coordinated the disembarkation operation in a completely isolated area in the port of Granadilla. Virginia Barcones, responsible for emergency services, detailed that passengers will be taken to a fenced area separated from the rest of the port. The procedure was described as an unprecedented operation, with health teams prepared for transfer in small vessels if the ship did not dock directly. The deadline for completing disembarkation is 24 hours to avoid delays caused by adverse weather conditions.
Hospitais in Tenerife and Madri are on high alert to receive possible cases. Estados Unidos and Reino Unido prepare aircraft to repatriate their citizens. Passageiros of 23 nationalities are on board, and negotiations involve more than 20 countries to organize the return of those involved to their countries of origin.
Situação of the outbreak and confirmed victims
- Três confirmed deaths among the vessel’s occupants.
- Pelo minus five positive hantavirus cases identified.
- Três passengers were evacuated in Cabo Verde and sent for treatment in Holanda.
- Nenhum symptomatic passenger remains on board at the current time.
The outbreak began days after Argentina’s departure, when the first symptoms appeared among passengers. Três people died, including a Dutch couple. The virus identified is of the Andes type, which can be transmitted between humans in rare cases. Organização Mundial of Saúde classified the risk of transmission as low, but is constantly monitoring the situation.
Divergências policies regarding ship arrival
The president of Canárias, Fernando Clavijo, expressed concern about the decision to allow docking. Ele argued that there was a lack of sufficient information about the outbreak to ensure public safety in the region. The central government in Madri, however, authorized the arrival based on humanitarian principles and Tenerife’s logistical capacity to manage the health crisis. The decision reflected tension between regional and central authorities over emergency management responsibilities.
Histórico from international travel and monitoring
MV Hondius left Argentina in April with approximately 170 people on board. Após the first cases, the ship remained anchored for days close to Cabo Verde, which denied docking. Países like Estados Unidos, Reino Unido, Suíça, Alemanha and África of Sul monitor former passengers who disembarked at previous ports, including Santa Helena. Autoridades Americans in at least five states follow people who returned before hantavirus cases were confirmed.
Medidas security and repatriation of passengers
Cada passenger will be assessed individually upon disembarking, with medical teams equipped with adequate protection working on site. Aqueles without symptoms may proceed for immediate repatriation. Contato with the local population is completely prohibited during the entire operation. Espanhóis on board, in small numbers, will proceed to military hospital in Madri for isolation and continuous monitoring.
Complete disinfection of the ship will occur after all passengers and crew have been evacuated. Monitoramento of recent contacts will be maintained by health authorities in coordination with international bodies. Especialistas remember that hantavirus causes flu-like symptoms and can progress to serious respiratory problems, with a mortality rate that varies depending on the strain of the virus. The company Oceanwide Expeditions operates the expedition cruise and coordinates with authorities for the safe return of everyone involved.