Spain has granted permission for a luxury cruise ship, struck by a deadly hantavirus outbreak and anchored off Cape Verde, to sail to the Canary Islands.
Details that emerged on Wednesday stated that the Spain’s Ministry of Health, in a statement issued late on Tuesday, said the World Health Organization (WHO) had explained that Cape Verde in West Africa was unable to receive the 147 crew and passengers of the MV Hondius. “The Canary Islands are the closest location with the necessary capabilities,” the statement said. “Spain has a moral and legal obligation to assist these people, among whom are several Spanish citizens.”
The Ministry of Health said it would receive a medical flight carrying the ship’s doctor, a Dutch national reported to be gravely ill, following a formal request from the Dutch government.
A Dutch couple and a German national died of the rare disease on board the vessel in early April. The illness is usually spread by infected rodents through urine, droppings and saliva. A British national, evacuated from the ship, remains in intensive care in South Africa, officials said.
Two crew members require urgent medical treatment, according to the Dutch-flagged vessel’s operator, Oceanwide Expeditions. Another person on board with a suspected case has reported only a mild fever.
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