Canary Islands oppose cruise ship entry over hantavirus outbreak onboard

The regional government of the Canary Islands has opposed a decision to allow a cruise ship carrying a hantavirus outbreak, including fatalities, to dock in the archipelago.

The vessel MV Hondius has reported multiple infections onboard, raising public health concerns, according to Reuters.

Canary Islands regional leader Fernando Clavijo said the decision was not based on sufficient technical evidence and does not guarantee public safety.

“This decision ​is not based on any technical criteria, nor is there sufficient information to reassure the ​public or guarantee their safety,” he said, adding that he had requested an urgent meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

Earlier, it was reported that the World Health Organisation and Spain’s central authorities had agreed to allow the ship to dock in the Canary Islands.

Seven cases of infection have been recorded onboard, including three fatalities.

According to the WHO, the most likely cause of the outbreak was infection contracted outside the vessel during its stay in South America, after which the virus may have spread among crew members.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov