Almost a month after the first passenger died of hantavirus on board the MV Hondius, the cruise ship is finally approaching Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Intensive preparations are underway to receive the ship at the port of Granadilla and help more than 100 people disembark for repatriation.
The Hondius is expected to arrive before dawn, but it will not be permitted to reach shore: a security perimeter of one nautical mile will be enforced around the ship as it approaches the island. Once in port, it will drop anchor at sea to maintain isolation.
Spain's health minister, Mónica García, described the complex operation to prevent the spread of the rare Andes strain as "unprecedented." Involving 23 countries, it has been meticulously planned for maximum safety and to address concerns of local residents, including the president of the Canary Islands, who said he "won't be calm" until all passengers and crew have left.
García reiterated that "the risk of contagion for the general population is low," adding that "alarmism, misinformation and confusion are contrary to the basic principles of preserving public health." Security measures at the port increased notably on Saturday, with military police and disaster response teams setting up reception tents.
Once the Hondius is in position around 07:00 local time on Sunday, medical teams will board to check everyone for signs of the virus. Latest reports indicate no other symptoms. People will be divided by nationality and ferried ashore in small boats. Charter planes should be ready at the local airport for repatriation.
The interior minister said the UK, US, and multiple EU member states are sending planes, with medically-equipped aircraft on standby. Spanish nationals will be flown to Madrid for mandatory quarantine at the Gomez Ulla military hospital. The virus has an incubation period of up to nine weeks, and quarantine duration remains unclear.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in Tenerife to oversee the disembarkation, praised the "solid and effective response" to the outbreak. He urged nervous Spaniards to trust those in charge, acknowledging that "the trauma of Covid is still in our minds," but added that the risk of wider contagion is low due to the virus's nature and Spain's preparations.
Dozens of intensive care specialists are on standby at Candelaria hospital in Tenerife. Chief intensive care doctor Mar Martin said, "We are absolutely ready. We've never seen hantavirus before – but it's a virus, with some complications, just like we manage every day."
While some local residents initially protested the ship's diversion, there is now more clarity and calm. Some view Madrid's decision as political rather than medical. About 30 crew members will remain on board to return the ship to the Netherlands, but for most, weeks of fear and uncertainty at sea are ending. Now come the long weeks of quarantine.
Source: www.bbc.com