health
Evacuation of hantavirus-stricken cruise ship could face delays due to bad weather
‘Unprecedented operation’ under way to receive MV Hondius off Tenerife to assess and repatriate those onboard
TL;DR
- Bad weather may delay the evacuation of the hantavirus-stricken MV Hondius from Tenerife, potentially causing weeks of delay.
- The evacuation operation, termed 'unprecedented', involves assessing and repatriating 149 passengers and crew.
- A narrow weather window on Sunday is the only opportunity for the operation, with significant delays possible if missed.
- Passengers will be assessed on the ship and will not have contact with the local population.
- Three deaths have occurred on the ship due to hantavirus, with four others infected and receiving treatment globally.
- The WHO has stated the risk to the general population is minimal, as the virus spreads through very close contact.
- Some local residents and business owners express unease and concern about the potential impact on tourism and costs.