Hantavirus outbreak on vessel leads to passenger quarantine in Spain
Court imposes compulsory quarantine over hantavirus outbreak on Hondius (photo: Wikipedia.org)
Spanish nationals who traveled on MV Hondius and may have been exposed to hantavirus have been ordered into compulsory isolation. The decision was issued by a court in Madrid at the request of the government, according to El País.
Court ruling, quarantine details
The media reports that a judge at the Madrid central court authorized a ministerial order mandating quarantine for 14 Spanish citizens.
The ruling overturns earlier statements by Defense Minister Margarita Robles that the isolation would be "voluntary."
Under the decision, the individuals will remain in separate rooms at the Gómez Ulla Military Hospital for seven calendar days.
The period may be extended depending on monitoring results.
"In the event of non-compliance with the provisions of this resolution, the sanctions regime set out in the General Health Law will be applied," the order states.
Health monitoring, conditions
The government has introduced a strict medical protocol for arrivals:
- PCR tests will be conducted immediately upon arrival and again on the seventh day of isolation.
- Doctors will check temperature and symptoms (fever, cough, muscle pain, shortness of breath) twice daily.
- Patients will be allowed to communicate with relatives via electronic means.
Authorities stress that the risk to the general population is minimal. Foreign passengers from the vessel will be repatriated to their home countries, while Spanish nationals will be transported to Madrid on special flights without contact with residents of the Canary Islands.
Experts emphasize that, unlike COVID-19, hantavirus is not transmitted by asymptomatic carriers.
Hondius liner, hantavirus situation
Five Ukrainian citizens are also aboard the cruise vessel MV Hondius, where a hantavirus outbreak has been reported. According to the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine, no signs of illness have been detected among them to date.
Following reports of fatalities on board, the disease has once again drawn global attention. Experts note that hantavirus is a rare infection affecting the lungs and kidneys and can be fatal.
The expedition ship Hondius is currently en route to the Canary Islands. Although Spanish authorities prepare unprecedented safety measures and strict quarantine under WHO supervision, port workers have already staged protests, refusing to accept the ship due to health risks.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
