Canarian government are “very concerned” about the arrival of the hantavirus cruise ship in Tenerife on Saturday
The Canary Islands Government says it remains “very concerned” ahead of the arrival on Saturday of the cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak, which is now sailing towards Tenerife from Cape Verde.
The vessel, the MV Hondius, is currently en route to the port of Granadilla, in the south of the island, where passengers — described as currently asymptomatic — will be assessed before repatriation procedures begin.
“Unilateral Decision” by Madrid
The spokesperson for the regional government, Alfonso Cabello, said last night (Wednesday), that the situation remains a cause for serious concern following a technical coordination meeting with Spain’s Ministry of Health and national emergency authorities.
In a statement, Cabello claimed that the central government had taken a “unilateral decision” to divert the ship to Tenerife after an official request from Brussels, due to the high level of medical facilities on the island.
However, he pointed out that the vessel had already set sail towards the island while the meeting was still underway.
The Canary Government has reiterated its disagreement with the decision and says it formally requested the technical reports and criteria supporting the move, but without success.
“We are told that those reports do not exist in writing,” Cabello said, adding that they have requested immediate access to any available documentation.
Passengers Currently Without Symptoms
According to information provided by the Ministry of Health, the incubation period for hantavirus can range from seven to 45 days. The ship departed with passengers said to be in the early, asymptomatic stages, although the Canary Government states it has not received detailed written or verbal information regarding the specific risk level of each individual onboard.
Cabello stressed that responsibility for managing the health situation lies with the Spanish state authorities, particularly regarding how the medical condition of those onboard may evolve.
He questioned why a rapid evacuation was not carried out earlier from Praia airport in Cape Verde, where — he claims — evacuation capacity has been demonstrated, even if full medical treatment facilities are limited. Some passengers with more serious symptoms were reportedly evacuated previously.
Emergency Measures and Tensions
The situation has also involved logistical complications. A plane transporting two patients to the Netherlands was forced to make a stop in Gran Canaria after Morocco refused a technical stopover due to an electrical fault in one of the aircraft’s support systems. The Canary Government says it will provide a controlled “health bubble” to allow the flight to continue safely.
Cabello also expressed surprise that, after the coordination meeting had concluded, the regional government received a call informing them that Spain’s emergency medical service (SAMU) had been activated to establish a triage point in Tenerife.
“We were not informed during the meeting, yet direct contact had already been made with SAMU personnel here,” he said.
“Clear and Forceful Concern”
The regional government insists that the information it has received so far remains “limited” and that there is “clear and forceful concern” about both public health safety and the protection of Canary Islands Health Service professionals.
While authorities have indicated that the number of infected passengers arriving in the Canaries is likely to be low, Cabello warned that higher numbers have not been ruled out.
For residents and tourists in Tenerife, officials stress that protocols are being prepared and that assessments will take place upon arrival. However, the political tension between regional and central authorities highlights the sensitivity surrounding the ship’s docking in Granadilla on Saturday.
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