THE rat virus-ridden cruise ship will dock in the Canary Islands – as authorities frantically search for dozens who flew with an infected cruise passenger who later died.
Three passengers on the Dutch MV Hondius have died of the rare – but severe – hantavirus, sparking a global health scare that has authorities desperate to stop the spread.
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Three people have died after an outbreak of a rat-borne virus on a Dutch cruise ship Credit: AFP
A British man, 69, is fighting for his life in a South African hospital, and two seriously ill crew members are still stranded aboard the vessel awaiting evacuation.
The Spanish Health Ministry has confirmed that it will receive the virus-ravaged ship in the Canary Islands “in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that there are seven suspected cases of the infection aboard the vessel, which has been travelling from Ushuaia in Argentina to Cape Verde in Africa.
Although the virus is usually contracted by breathing in rodent urine, droppings and saliva, the WHO warned that the disease may have spread between passengers aboard the luxury cruise.
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It has since been revealed that a Dutch woman who later died of the virus boarded an Airlink flight between the island of St. Helena and Johannesburg.
She had left the ship with “gastrointestinal symptoms” on April 24 and was pronounced dead upon arriving at hospital in the South African city.
Airlink operates one four-hour flight a week from the island.
The WHO has since said: “Contact tracing for passengers has been initiated.”
South African authorities have also asked the airline to notify the passengers that they must contact the health department, a representative said.
Meanwhile, medics were seen leaving the MV Hondius following an hours-long investigation on board.
The two stricken crew members are slated to be evacuated from the ship in Cape Verde and taken to The Netherlands for treatment.
Photos from Tuesday show several medics wearing hazmat suits coming off the boat after attempting to find the origin of the virus.
It remains unclear if medics remain on board, however the investigation remains ongoing.
Once the ship has docked in the Canaries, medical teams will examine and treat all passengers and crew and transfer them to their countries, a Spanish Health Ministry statement said.
“The World Health Organization has explained that Cape Verde is unable to carry out this operation,” it said.
“The Canary Islands are the closest location with the necessary capabilities. Spain has a moral and legal obligation to assist these people, among whom are also several Spanish citizens.”
