Canary Islands President Demands Clarity on Hantavirus Outbreak Protocols Ahead of Ship's Arrival

The President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, has expressed significant concern regarding the lack of communication from the Spanish government as preparations to accommodate crew members of the MV Hondius, a ship facing an outbreak of hantavirus, intensify. In a recent meeting with Teresa Ribera, Vice President of the European Commission, Clavijo revealed that he has yet to receive any information from Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez or Health Minister Mónica García regarding an agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO) for handling the situation. This situation escalated when the WHO formally requested Spain, in coordination with the EU, to allow the disembarkation of the ship's crew members in the Canary Islands, citing the region's capacity to manage the outbreak in line with international law and humanitarian principles. However, Clavijo pointed out that the islands currently lack a specific protocol for the treatment of those infected with hantavirus. Post meeting in Brussels, Clavijo highlighted the limited medical resources available, mentioning that out of all the hospitals in Spain, only twelve high-demand beds are available, with only one at the Hospital de La Candelaria in the Canary Islands. He emphasized that a formal request would be necessary and that any protocols required would inevitably strain the hospital facilities. Clavijo criticized the decision-making delays, suggesting it makes no sense for those aboard the MV Hondius, who are facing a dire situation, to endure a three-day journey to the Canary Islands when they could be more swiftly repatriated from Cape Verde. He believes that timely intervention from Spanish authorities is essential and urged them to communicate more effectively with the Canary Islands' administration. Despite his outreach efforts, Clavijo noted that Health Minister Mónica García has not responded to his calls, leaving him frustrated and without the necessary information to prepare for the arriving crew members. He stressed that it was troubling to have to wait for official announcements via press conferences to be informed about crucial developments. The WHO's letter to Spain indicates that the Government of Cape Verde lacks the resources to conduct necessary public health evaluations and implement response measures, prompting this request for assistance. As concerns about the scale of the outbreak grow—with reports of eight infections—President Clavijo reminded all involved of the importance of communication and clarity, especially given the previous experiences with COVID-19. As the situation unfolds, Clavijo has made it clear that if healthy passengers are waiting to be repatriated, there is no logical reason for them to travel to the Canary Islands when they can do so directly from Cape Verde. He is calling for urgent discussions with the Spanish government to ensure that everyone involved—both infected and uninfected individuals—receives the most appropriate care and assistance in a timely manner. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2