Hantavirus crisis grows: Canary Islands up in arms!

The administration of Spain's Canary Islands has opposed the central government's decision to allow the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius, where hantavirus cases have been reported, to dock at the islands. Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo stated that the decision lacks scientific and technical justification, saying, "This decision is not based on any technical criteria, and there is insufficient information to reassure the public or guarantee their safety."

Clavijo, a member of the opposition People's Party, announced that he has requested an urgent meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

It was reported that the ship, which has been held in quarantine off the coast of Cape Verde since May 3, is planned to dock at either the Gran Canaria or Tenerife ports within three days.

3 PEOPLE HAVE DIED

The ship, which departed from Argentina on April 1 and reached the waters off Cape Verde on May 3, carries 88 passengers from 23 different countries and 59 crew members. So far, hantavirus has been detected in 7 people, and 3 people have lost their lives.

The first death was a Dutch male passenger who passed away on April 11. After the passenger's body was kept on the ship until April 24, it was brought ashore in Saint Helena along with his wife. The woman, who showed mild symptoms during the evacuation, fell ill during her flight to Johannesburg, South Africa, was hospitalized, and passed away on April 26. It was also announced that a German passenger on the ship lost their life on May 2.

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that contact tracing efforts for passengers who were on the flight in question are ongoing.

News Source: İHA