Spanish Secretary of State for Health, Javier Padilla, announced on Friday that relevant measures were taken by health authorities following the detection of a suspected hantavirus case in Alicante. The individual had traveled on the same flight as an infected person several weeks ago, leading to the development of symptoms consistent with hantavirus infection. Authorities are currently evaluating the case for confirmation.
Moreover, Padilla confirmed that all 14 Spanish passengers from the MV Hondius agreed to voluntary quarantine measures to reduce the risk of further transmission. The Dutch-operated cruise ship, linked to three deaths, is en route to Spain’s Canary Islands, with a team from the Spanish Health Ministry scheduled to travel to Tenerife in preparation for the ship’s arrival.
Passengers are expected to disembark via small boats under strict isolation protocols. Spanish citizens on board will be transported to Madrid for quarantine observation. Meanwhile, two British nationals have tested positive for hantavirus on Tristan da Cunha, with a third suspected case. Although no symptoms have been reported among British citizens on the MV Hondius, they are under close monitoring and will be required to isolate for 45 days upon return to Britain.
British government personnel will assist British nationals upon disembarkation in Tenerife. Notably, seven British passengers disembarked at St Helena on April 24, with two back in Britain self-isolating without symptoms. Four individuals remain in St Helena, and the seventh has been located outside Britain.
