One of the 14 Spanish MV Hondius Passengers Has Developed Hantavirus Symptoms

One of the 14 Spanish nationals in quarantine at the Gómez Ulla military hospital in Madrid following the evacuation from the MV Hondius cruise ship has developed the first symptoms of hantavirus. According to sources cited by Spanish media within the Ministry of Health, the patient developed a fever and mild breathing difficulties overnight. His condition is assessed as stable.

An earlier PCR test taken by the man had returned a preliminary positive result. He has been moved to the high-isolation unit (UATAN), which was built at the military hospital following the Ebola crisis.

The remaining 13 Spanish passengers have all tested negative. They are in good health and are housed in separate rooms, maintaining contact with relatives by phone. Their temperature is measured twice a day. Among the 14 Spanish passengers are five from Catalonia, three from Madrid, three from Asturias, and one each from Castilla y León, Galicia, and the Valencian Community. The quarantine will run until 17 June.

On 12 May, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus met with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Madrid. The WHO chief thanked Spain for its "kindness and compassion." According to the organisation, 11 suspected cases of hantavirus have been recorded at this point — 9 confirmed and a further 2 considered "probable." No new deaths have been reported since 2 May.

"There is currently nothing to suggest a larger outbreak will occur," Tedros said, while not ruling out the possibility of further cases. He also confirmed that all passengers who disembarked from the MV Hondius have been located.

Pedro Sánchez stated that the passenger evacuation operation had resulted in "no incidents" and "went successfully." He specified that more than 120 people had been repatriated on 10 special flights involving 400 specialists. "One of the 14 Spanish MV Hondius Passengers Has Developed Hantavirus Symptoms — not only from a small vessel in the Atlantic, but from the WHO, the European Union, and more than 23 governments around the world," Sánchez said.

According to the Prime Minister, the Spanish government chose to help because it was within its power to do so. "This world does not need more selfishness or fear," he added.