Canary Islands rocked by protests after hantavirus cruise arrival
Photo: The Hondius liner (Wikipedia/Stefan Brending)
The expedition ship Hondius, with a deadly virus outbreak on board, is heading to the Canary Islands. Spanish authorities are preparing unprecedented safety measures and strict quarantine protocols for all passengers. However, protests by port workers have already broken out on the island, according to the specialized maritime portal The Maritime Executive and the BBC.
There are currently 150 people on board, and doctors have recorded a rare occurrence: the hantavirus has begun to spread directly from person to person. The infection is usually spread by rats.
A strain of the virus called Andes is circulating in Argentina. It was there, at the port of Ushuaia, that passengers boarded the ship. This is the southernmost point of the country and a well-known cruise hub.
WHO statistics currently show:
- Three passengers have already died
- Five have acute symptoms of the disease
- All other crew members are under observation.
The virus attacks the lungs, suppressing breathing, and kills quickly. It is extremely difficult to trace the source of infection, and the incubation period lasts for weeks.
Isolation plan: special wards and PCR tests
Madrid has agreed to provide the ships with a port of refuge in the Canary Islands. However, the conditions for disembarkation will be strict: all passengers will be immediately sent to mandatory quarantine.
They will be admitted to the Gómez Ulla Central Defense Hospital in Madrid. People will be confined to separate rooms, and medical staff will regularly check them for fever. Visits by relatives are strictly prohibited.
Everyone will receive a PCR test immediately upon arrival, and the procedure will be repeated seven days later. If a passenger is found to have a high fever or shortness of breath, they will be transferred to a negative-pressure isolation ward. These are special isolation rooms with separate air circulation.
"The emotional well-being of those in quarantine will be ensured by maintaining electronic communication with their families and loved ones," the Spanish Ministry of Health says.
Port workers' protest
Photo: Port workers protesting in the Canary Islands
Not everyone is happy about the cruise ship's arrival. Port workers gathered outside the Canary Islands Parliament to demand protection.
Joana Batista from the local union voiced the protesters’ demands, "We're unhappy at the idea of being allowed to work in a port without special safety measures or information when an infected boat is approaching."
The workers are taking a radical stance, and some are already threatening to physically block the ship’s path to the dock. The workers are demanding detailed instructions and special equipment for their work.
Hantavirus and Hondius cruise ship
Before the outbreak, many tourists from the ship had already dispersed around the world. Now, the WHO and health authorities in several countries have launched a large-scale contact tracing effort.
US President Donald Trump has taken note of the situation. He commented on the incident and stated that he expected a detailed report in the near future, as there were Americans on board the ship.
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