Canary Islands Blocks Cruise Ship Amid Hantavirus Fears; WHO Downplays Risk

The Canary Islands administration has taken a firm stance, prohibiting the cruise ship Hundius from docking at its ports. President Fernando Clavijo announced that he has issued direct orders to prevent the vessel from anchoring until assurances are in place that all passengers can depart the island as planned. This decision stems from a lack of guarantees regarding the disembarkation process, highlighting a critical concern for the regional government.

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This is not another Covid.

Clavijo expressed frustration with the Spanish national government, stating that his requests for assistance with passenger accommodation on alternative flights had been ignored. He pointed out that a Spanish military plane, capable of carrying 210 passengers, was only carrying 14 individuals, underscoring a perceived lack of cooperation. The Canary Islands president emphasized that none of the Spanish ministers he met with were willing to address this issue, leading him to instruct the Port Authority to deny the ship anchorage.

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The current risk to public health from hantavirus remains low. My colleagues and I have stated this unequivocally, and I repeat it now.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization's Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, attempted to allay fears by stating that the risk of hantavirus transmission from the cruise ship to the public in Tenerife is low. He acknowledged the public's anxiety, drawing parallels to the COVID-19 pandemic, but stressed that the current situation is different and the risk is manageable. Tedros assured that Spanish authorities have prepared a detailed evacuation plan, involving health specialists from the WHO and the Dutch government, to ensure a safe and orderly process for the passengers.

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The pain of 2020 is still real and I do not minimize it for a moment.