The Swiss government has confirmed that a patient is currently hospitalized with hantavirus after returning from a journey aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius, which is experiencing a significant outbreak of this rodent-borne illness.
“The individual came back from a South American trip with his wife at the close of April,” stated the government in an official release.
This situation arises as Fernando Clavijo, the president of the Canary Islands, has openly opposed the Spanish government’s request to permit the MV Hondius to dock in the islands.
The MV Hondius, a luxury cruise liner, has been anchored off the coast of Cape Verde in Africa since May 3, which was supposed to be its final destination.
The Spanish Health Ministry revealed that both the World Health Organization and the European Union have urged Spain to receive the MV Hondius, citing “international law and humanitarian principles,” as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.
Nonetheless, Clavijo expressed on COPE radio that he cannot allow the ship to make port in the Canary Islands.
“This decision is not based on any technical criteria, nor is there sufficient information to reassure the public or guarantee their safety,” Clavijo told radio station COPE, according to Reuters.
Clavijo said he had requested an urgent meeting with Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to discuss the issue.
Earlier today, Spanish state broadcaster TVE said the infected cruise ship was heading towards Europe and expected to dock in Tenerife in the next few days, citing sources from the country’s health ministry.
On Monday, cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions confirmed four Australians were among 88 passengers and 68 crew aboard the ship.
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