For days, the MV Hondius drifted across the Atlantic with a deadly virus outbreak on board, before Spain ultimately became the destination of the international evacuation mission. Three people died during this period, while several others were infected with the rare Andes hantavirus – a strain of hantavirus that can, in rare cases, also be transmitted from person to person. The voyage had originally begun as an expedition cruise from Ushuaia in Argentina towards Antarctica. The virus is believed to have been introduced in South America through contact with infected rodents.
Spain Expat Press Editorial Team
by Marlon Gallego Bosbach
Major emergency operation at the Port of Tenerife
On the Canary Islands, there were initial plans to refuse the ship entry altogether. The President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, stated publicly that he could not authorise the vessel to dock, as the region was unwilling to take any risks for the population following the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. Images of a potentially highly contagious viral outbreak in the middle of the Atlantic caused significant concern and heightened nervousness across Spain.
Only after significant pressure from the WHO and the Spanish central government was it ultimately decided to carry out the evacuation in Tenerife. Spain argued that the situation on board was increasingly spiralling out of control and that an international solution had become necessary.
Thus, the MV Hondius finally reached the Port of Granadilla in Tenerife in the early hours of 10 May. There, one of Europe’s largest medical evacuation operations in years began. The vessel did not initially dock directly at the terminal but remained isolated under strict security measures.
More than 300 personnel, including the Guardia Civil, police units, specialised medical teams and international observers from the WHO, monitored the entire operation. Passengers were disembarked only in small groups, repeatedly checked, and in some cases disinfected directly within the port area. Images of people in white protective suits immediately reminded many observers of the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
New positive cases spark renewed concern
However, just a few hours after the evacuation began, further alarming news emerged. A French female passenger tested positive for the Andes hantavirus after her return. Her condition is now reported to have deteriorated significantly.
Shortly afterwards, US authorities confirmed another positive case in an American passenger who had been flown to Nebraska. In addition, officials reported at least one further person showing typical symptoms of the infection.
These new cases suggest that the real crisis may only just be beginning.
WHO coordinates global monitoring efforts
Health authorities in several countries are now tracking every individual contact of the passengers. In France, more than 20 people are currently being monitored after having been in contact with infected individuals during return flights or in medical facilities. Extensive contact-tracing measures are also underway in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.
The WHO is now coordinating the monitoring of former passengers across numerous countries, working alongside European and international health authorities. According to current reports, at least twelve countries are directly involved.
Spain defends its decision
Spain has meanwhile defended its actions despite growing criticism. In particular, many people in the Canary Islands had feared that the ship should not have been allowed to dock at all. The central government, however, describes the response as a “humanitarian obligation” and an “operation without precedent.”
International organisations, as well as several European governments, have since praised Spain’s coordination of the evacuation. Even the WHO stated that Spain had played a crucial role in bringing a potentially chaotic situation under control.
Weeks of uncertainty are only just beginning now
The MV Hondius itself remains isolated for the time being. Part of the crew is still on board, before the vessel is to be taken to the Netherlands, where it will be fully decontaminated.
For the former passengers, however, a prolonged period of uncertainty is now beginning. Even despite negative test results, the virus can still develop weeks later. This is precisely what makes the current case so dangerous and difficult for authorities worldwide to assess and control.
