The Canary Islands have refused to accept a cruise ship experiencing a deadly hantavirus outbreak, reports Todayinfo. This decision comes after the Spanish government announced its intention to allow the vessel to dock.
Fernando Clavijo, President of the autonomous Canary Islands, expressed his disagreement with Spain's decision to admit the cruise ship, which is experiencing an outbreak of the rare and deadly hantavirus. The Spanish Ministry of Health had previously stated that the ship would be accepted in the islands.
“I cannot allow this vessel to come to the Canaries. This decision by Spain is not based on any technical criteria, and we have not received sufficient information,” Clavijo said on COPE radio.
According to Reuters, Clavijo stated his urgent desire to discuss the matter in Madrid with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
The Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius is currently anchored in Cabo Verde (formerly Cape Verde Islands). From there, it could reach the Canary Islands in three to four days.
The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that the hantavirus on board the cruise ship might have spread in a rare way – from person to person. In another interview, Clavijo noted that he saw no point in transporting all passengers by sea to the Canary Islands for several days.
“If the passengers are safe and healthy, there is no point in them sailing to the Canary Islands for repatriation; this can be done from Cabo Verde International Airport,” he said.
