Spain on Tuesday said it would delay deciding where a cruise ship carrying suspected hantavirus cases should dock until a full epidemiological assessment is completed, leaving uncertainty over the vessel’s immediate destination.
A statement from the health ministry came shortly after Maria Van Kerkhove, director for epidemic and pandemic preparedness at the World Health Organization, indicated in Geneva that the ship was expected to head toward the Canary Islands.
“Based on the epidemiological data collected from the ship during its stopover in Cape Verde, it will be decided which port of call is most appropriate,” the health ministry said in a social media post.
“Until then, the Ministry of Health will not take any decision, as we have informed the World Health Organization.”
In a follow-up update, the ministry confirmed it had held discussions with the WHO and revealed that “this evening an inspection of the ship will be carried out by a team of epidemiologists” to identify any symptoms or trace contacts.
Government spokeswoman Elma Saiz said during a press briefing that “everything is prepared for care, assessment and, if necessary, disinfection, if the WHO requires it,” though she did not confirm whether the Canary Islands would receive the vessel.
Meanwhile, Manuel Dominguez, vice president of the Canary Islands regional government, suggested the ship would be better handled on mainland Spain due to its greater capacity.
“If it does not have to be in the Canary Islands, then that would be better, because there may be other resources on the mainland,” he said in a radio interview, adding that any decision should be taken “with all possible guarantees”.
Regional president Fernando Clavijo also weighed in, telling reporters in Brussels that the vessel “should be taken care of where it is” or possibly diverted to the Netherlands, as it sails under a Dutch flag.
According to the WHO, two confirmed cases of Hantavirus have been identified on board, with five more suspected among the 147 passengers and crew travelling from Ushuaia in Argentina to Cape Verde.
