The Canary Islands are making preparations to receive nearly 150 cruise ship guests and crew still aboard a virus-hit ship in the Atlantic.
Spain’s Health Ministry said the vessel is expected to arrive within three to four days, at which point passengers and crew will be examined, treated, and transferred to their respective countries.
Three people, a German and two Dutch nationals, died during the expedition ship MV Hondius’ sailing from South America to Cape Verde, where officials did not allow passengers to disembark.
Health officials have confirmed at least two cases of hantavirus, with five additional suspected cases, and say the virus may have been directly transmitted among humans.
Sick Crew Members Expected to Be Airlifted Off the Ship
Hantavirus is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodent droppings or urine. Before the ship departs for the Canary Islands, authorities will determine which passengers require urgent evacuation while still in Cape Verde.
The ship’s doctor, described as being in serious condition, was expected to be evacuated on Tuesday on a medical flight to the Canary Islands, Spain’s Health Ministry said.
“This intervention aims to assess the condition of the people on board, determine whether there are additional symptomatic individuals, and identify high- and low-risk contacts.
This will inform decisions on repatriation procedures and the ship’s route,” the Spanish Health Ministry posted on social media.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the government is putting “plans in place for the safe onward travel” for 19 British guests aboard the ship.
Operator Oceanwide Expeditions said another 17 are Americans and 13 are Spanish citizens. Most crew members come from the Philippines.
A British national who fell ill after the ship left St. Helena is now hospitalized at a private medical facility in South Africa and is reported to be improving, according to the World Health Organization.
In an update, the WHO said the “risk to the general public is low,” but that human-to-human transmission cannot be ruled out. If confirmed, such transmission would be exceedingly rare.
“We do know that some of the cases had very close contact with each other and certainly human-to-human transmission can’t be ruled out,” said Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s head of epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention.
A similar hantavirus outbreak occurred at Yosemite National Park in 2012. Ten people became ill and three died.
