Canary Islands receive request to activate isolation unit at Candelaria Hospital for hantavirus cruise ship passengers
The Canary Islands Government has confirmed it received an official request to activate the High-Level Isolation Unit at Tenerife’s main hospital following a hantavirus outbreak on board a Dutch cruise ship sailing in the South Atlantic.
Speaking this morning, Wednesday, regional government spokesperson Alfonso Cabello criticised what he described as “misinformation” from the Spanish Government over the handling of the situation involving the MV Hondius.
The vessel was reportedly affected by a hantavirus outbreak during its Atlantic crossing, prompting discussions about possible medical evacuations and contingency planning in the Canaries.
Changing Information
Cabello explained that the Canary Islands had received “changing” and, at times, “insufficient” information regarding the planned operation.
He confirmed that the regional government received an official communication requesting the availability of the High-Level Isolation Unit at the Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria in Tenerife as a potential resource to treat patients linked to the outbreak.
According to Cabello, the situation shifted on Tuesday afternoon at around 3:00pm, when a meeting was reportedly held between Spanish External Health officials and Public Health authorities. It is understood that an approach was agreed to evacuate any patients requiring hospital care from Cape Verde, after which the ship would continue its scheduled route to the Netherlands.
Questions Over Safety and Protocols
Cabello said the President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, sought further clarification overnight about the operation and any potential risks to healthcare staff and the wider public.
The Canary Islands Health Service subsequently sent a formal letter to Spain’s Ministry of Health requesting detailed information about the protocol being followed, the conditions under which the vessel might dock, and the safety measures in place.
“The Government of the Canary Islands wants to know exactly what it is dealing with,” Cabello stated.
He also revealed that Clavijo had requested a direct conversation with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in order to obtain first-hand information about the management of the situation.
Surprise Over Proposed Medical Transfer
The regional government also expressed surprise at reports suggesting that the cruise ship’s doctor could be transferred on a flight to Tenerife North Airport. That operation, Cabello noted, ultimately did not go ahead.
At present, the isolation unit at La Candelaria remains available if required, although no confirmation has been given that any patients will be transferred to the islands.
Health authorities continue to monitor developments closely as the situation unfolds.
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