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Canary Islands brace for arrival of Hantavirus-hit cruise ship Sunday

From The Punch · (1h ago) English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A cruise ship, the MV Hondius, is heading to Spain's Canary Islands after a hantavirus outbreak that resulted in three deaths and several illnesses among passengers.
  • The ship will remain offshore while nearly 150 people on board are evacuated and flown home, with WHO officials coordinating the operation.
  • Health authorities have assured the public that the risk to the general population in the Canary Islands is low, emphasizing that this is not another COVID-19 situation.

The Canary Islands are preparing to receive the cruise ship MV Hondius, which has been grappling with a severe hantavirus outbreak, leading to multiple fatalities and illnesses among its passengers. The ship, currently en route from Cape Verde, is expected to reach waters off Tenerife on Sunday, where an international effort, coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO), will facilitate the evacuation of nearly 150 individuals.

We classify everybody on board as what we call a high-risk contact

— Maria Van KerkhoveThe WHO's epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention director highlighted the high-risk status of everyone on board due to the confirmed Andes virus.

Three passengers have already died, and others have fallen ill with the rare disease, which can spread through rodents but also, in some forms like the Andes virus confirmed on board, from person to person. This has understandably raised concerns, especially given the recent global experience with infectious disease outbreaks. However, WHO officials, including Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, have been quick to reassure the public and the people of Tenerife that the risk to the general population remains low.

I need you to hear me clearly: This is not another Covid.

— Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusThe WHO chief sought to allay fears by explicitly stating that the hantavirus outbreak on the ship is distinct from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has affirmed Spain's commitment to offering a safe port, framing it as a moral and legal duty. While the ship will not dock, passengers will be screened and evacuated offshore. Local authorities have made arrangements, including setting up white tents at the port, but daily life in Tenerife appears to be continuing with a sense of calm, as noted by local vendors.

Accepting the WHO’s request and offering a safe port is a moral and legal duty to our citizens, to Europe, and to international law.

— Pedro SanchezThe Spanish Prime Minister emphasized the nation's commitment to humanitarian principles and international obligations in responding to the crisis.

From the perspective of the Canary Islands, this situation presents a delicate balancing act. On one hand, there is a humanitarian obligation to assist those affected by the outbreak. On the other, there is the need to manage public health concerns and ensure the safety of residents and tourists. The swift response and clear communication from health officials, emphasizing the low risk and differentiating the situation from COVID-19, are crucial in maintaining public confidence. The island's role as a safe haven, even in such challenging circumstances, underscores its commitment to international cooperation and humanitarian aid.

There are worries there could be a danger, but honestly I don’t see people being very concerned

— David ParadaA local lottery vendor shared his observation that despite potential worries, the general public in Tenerife did not appear overly concerned.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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