As the cruise ship MV Hondius faced a deadly hantavirus outbreak, passengers began flying home from the Canary Islands, escorted by personnel in protective gear. A French woman and an American have tested positive for the virus, with one American passenger showing no symptoms and another experiencing mild ones. While three deaths have been reported, health authorities emphasize the low risk to the general public, as hantavirus is rarely transmitted between people. Nations are actively quarantining or isolating repatriated passengers for monitoring and follow-up.
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Despite official assurances, the arrival of a cruise ship with a multinational passenger list has evoked unwelcome comparisons to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic for many Canary Islanders. These residents recall the initial outbreak, which began with a German tourist on La Gomera and led to the quarantine of approximately 1,000 individuals at a Tenerife hotel. The situation serves as a potent reminder of the widespread impact the virus once had on the region.
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The decision by the Canary Islands leadership to reject a cruise ship carrying passengers potentially exposed to hantavirus is entirely understandable, and frankly, a sensible move. It’s a situation where nobody wants to be the designated port of call for a vessel carrying a disease, especially one with such a concerning reputation. The initial thought that springs to mind is why the ship didn’t simply turn back to its point of origin, Argentina, where parts of the country already contend with endemic strains of the virus. In such a scenario, the concern about an infected rodent finding its way ashore would arguably be less of a catastrophic risk.… Continue reading
A Dutch cruise ship, the MV Hondius, carrying a hantavirus outbreak, is en route to Spain’s Canary Islands. Spanish health officials are currently assessing passengers in Cape Verde to determine who needs immediate evacuation, while the remaining individuals will continue their journey, anticipating arrival within three to four days. The cruise operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, has indicated Gran Canaria or Tenerife as potential destinations. The vessel, which departed Argentina approximately a month ago, has already seen three passenger deaths linked to the outbreak.
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Spanish police have arrested 19 individuals on suspicion of murder and torture following the disappearance of over 50 migrants from a boat traveling from Senegal to the Canary Islands. Authorities suspect some of the missing were targeted due to accusations of witchcraft amidst hardships during the journey, including engine failure and food shortages. The wooden vessel was rescued on August 24th with 248 survivors, but it’s believed around 300 people were originally on board, with some allegedly thrown overboard. The investigation continues as authorities work to uncover the full extent of the alleged crimes.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood