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Hondius docks off Tenerife after hantavirus death on board
The MV Hondius, carrying over 100 passengers and crew, arrived near Granadilla port before dawn Sunday, nearly a month after the first hantavirus fatality was reported. Authorities enforced a one-nautical-mile security perimeter to prevent the rare Andes strain from spreading.
Unprecedented operation to prevent contagion
Spain's health minister Mónica García called the evacuation effort "unprecedented," involving 23 countries and meticulous planning to address local concerns. The Canary Islands president, Fernando Clavijo, admitted he would only relax once all passengers and crew had disembarked.
García emphasized the low risk to the public, urging against "alarmism, misinformation, and confusion," which she said undermined public health efforts.
Medical checks and repatriation underway
By 07:00 local time (06:00 GMT), the Hondius was positioned for medical teams to board and screen everyone for symptoms. No additional cases have been reported. Passengers will be grouped by nationality and transported to shore via small boats, where charter planes await to repatriate them.
Medically equipped aircraft are on standby for potential isolation cases. Spanish nationals will be flown to Madrid for mandatory quarantine at the Gomez Ulla military hospital, though the duration remains unclear due to the virus's nine-week incubation period.
WHO praises response, locals remain cautious
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, present in Tenerife to oversee the operation, commended Spanish authorities for their "solid and effective response." He acknowledged public anxiety, linking it to COVID-19 trauma, but stressed the low risk of wider contagion due to the virus's transmission mechanics and Spain's preparations.
"Your concern is legitimate, but the risk is low because of how the virus works and how the government has prepared."
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
Hospital readiness and local tensions
Dozens of intensive care specialists are on alert at Tenerife's Candelaria hospital, where a fully equipped isolation unit-complete with testing kits and a ventilator-stands ready. ICU chief Mar Martín assured staff were prepared, despite never encountering hantavirus before.
Local protests erupted Friday, with port workers demanding stronger safety measures. Late Saturday, Clavijo briefly threatened to block the ship's entry, citing concerns over undetected rodents. Health officials swiftly dismissed the claim as unfounded.
Residents expressed mixed reactions. Jennifer, a mother in Santa Cruz, said, "If we're careful, we hope it's not too serious." Others criticized Madrid's decision to divert the ship to Tenerife, recalling early COVID-19 reassurances.
Crew to sail ship back; passengers face quarantine
While most passengers will disembark, around 30 crew members will remain on board to navigate the Hondius back to the Netherlands. For evacuees, the end of their ordeal at sea marks the start of weeks-long quarantine.
The outbreak originated at an Argentine landfill frequented by birdwatchers, where rodents carry the virus. Though rare, human-to-human transmission has occurred, with three fatalities among cruise passengers.
