DRAMA IN THE ATLANTIC: MV Hondius sails towards Tenerife
Tenerife / Canary Islands - The luxury Dutch expedition ship MV Hondius, aboard which a deadly outbreak of hantavirus occurred, is heading for Tenerife. The Spanish government's decision to take the vessel is causing controversy in the archipelago - local Canary Islands authorities are protesting, fearing a repeat of the COVID-19 pandemic scenario.
The ship, owned by shipowner Oceanwide Expeditions, set sail in early April from Ushuaia, Argentina. The cruise was to be the adventure of a lifetime - 24-34 days across the South Atlantic, with visits to Antarctica, the Falkland Islands and remote islands such as South Georgia, Tristan da Cunha, St. Helena and Ascension Island. About 147-150 people (88 passengers and about 59 crew members) from more than 20 countries were on board, including British, Americans and Spaniards.
The situation changed dramatically in late April and early May. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the deaths of three passengers and several cases of hantavirus infection - including the Andes strain, which uniquely can transmit from person to person. The disease, usually spread by rodents (through urine, feces or saliva), causes flu-like symptoms and in severe cases leads to acute respiratory and kidney failure. The mortality rate is as high as 30-40 percent.
The ship was stopped off the coast of Cape Verde (Cape Verde). Local authorities did not allow the ship to go ashore for fear of spreading the infection. After evacuating three patients (including a British doctor) to the Netherlands and Tenerife, the MV Hondius continued north. According to plans, it is expected to reach the port of Granadilla de Abona in the south of Tenerife in the next few days (probably Saturday).
Controversy in Tenerife
The decision by the central government in Madrid to accept the ship was met with fierce opposition from Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo. "We don't want a repeat of COVID," local politicians and residents stressed, fearing quarantine, port closure and a negative impact on tourism. The mayor of Granadilla de Abona has also expressed firm opposition. Nonetheless, Spain's health ministry has confirmed that the ship will be admitted on humanitarian grounds - there are still asymptomatic people on board who require evacuation and testing.
Passengers on board describe the situation as calm, though tense. Many of them are experienced polar travelers who now only dream of returning home. The shipowner assures close cooperation with health authorities and the WHO.
Polish footprint on board
According to unofficial information confirmed by the consular service, there is one Polish citizen among the crew of the MV Hondius. As we have been able to establish, our compatriot is feeling well and is in regular contact with his relatives. His situation, like that of the rest of the crew, depends on the results of the tests, which will be carried out immediately after the vessel enters the port of Granadilla.
What's next?
Upon arrival in Tenerife, all cruise participants are expected to undergo detailed medical examinations. The risk to the wider population is assessed as low, but authorities are preparing for possible quarantine and laboratory tests. This is the first such serious incident of hantavirus on a cruise ship in recent years.
