A cruise ship hit by a hantavirus outbreak is to sail to the Canary Islands for epidemiological checks and decontamination, as health authorities work to evacuate two remaining symptomatic passengers from the vessel, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Wednesday.
The cruise ship MV Hondius, which has experienced an outbreak of hantavirus, will make its way to the Canary Islands, where it will undergo epidemiological screening and disinfection, the WHO has confirmed.
Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s acting director for epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, said the organisation was coordinating with Spanish authorities, who had agreed to receive the vessel.
She also added that the WHO’s immediate priority remained the medical evacuation and provision of high-quality care for two additional people showing symptoms of hantavirus on board. According to Van Kerkhove, that plan is already being implemented.
Earlier reports confirmed that three people had died as a result of the hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius, which was travelling from Argentina to Cape Verde. In total, 149 people were on board the vessel – 88 passengers and 61 crew.
