Canary Islands rejects cruise ship docking plan amid hantavirus outbreak concerns

The president of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, has rejected the Spanish government’s decision to dock the cruise ship infected with hantavirus outbreak in the islands.

In an interview reported by BBC Clavijo said, “I can not allow [the boat] to enter the Canaries.”

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He added, “This decision is not based on any technical criteria and nor have we been given enough information.”

Considering the urgency of the matter, the president, who is currently in Brussels, said he would urgently meet the prime minister to discuss the issue concerning public health.

However, Dutch MV Hondius is expected to reach the Canary Islands in the next few days.

Earlier, the WHO’s director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness, Dr Maria van Kerkhove said , the global health agency is discussing plans with Spanish authorities, allowing it to continue the ship's journey to the Canary Islands.

The vessel remains anchored off the coast of West Africa near Cape Verde. Soon after the statement of the Canary Islands leader, the Hondius operator Oceanwide Expeditions has issued a statement, citing, “at this stage the Canary Islands is still the destination for the Hondius following the medical evacuations.”

Oceanwide says it “remains in close and continual discussion with relevant authorities regarding our exact point of arrival, quarantine and screening procedures for all guests, and a precise timeline.”

As per recent updates, the scheduled evacuation of three individuals from a vessel to an aircraft is set to occur this morning, local time. Two of the evacuees are showing acute symptoms.

Two infectious disease specialists from the Netherlands are currently travelling to the ships. They are scheduled to remain on board for the journey after the ship leaves Cape Verde.