Spain’s Ministry of Health confirmed that the cruise ship MV Hondius, on which hantavirus cases were detected and three passengers died, docked in the Canary Islands “in accordance with international law and for humanitarian reasons."
All passengers and crew will be examined by medical teams and will then return to their respective countries.
The World Health Organization explained that Cape Verde is not in a position to carry out this operation, the ministry added. “The Canary Islands are the nearest destination with the necessary capabilities. Spain has a moral and legal duty to help these people, among whom there are many Spanish citizens,” the Ministry noted.
At almost the same time, the corresponding ministry of Cape Verde announced that three infected passengers will be evacuated from the ship within the next few hours using two air ambulances. One aircraft is already in the archipelago, while the second is expected to arrive shortly.
Source: CNA–ANA–MPB–Reuters