A Dutch cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak was forced back to port in the Canary Islands Monday evening. Spanish maritime authorities ordered the MV Hondius to dock in Granadilla after strong winds and heavy seas disrupted the evacuation of passengers.
The vessel had been heading to the Netherlands to repatriate 28 passengers, but the operation was stalled by a sudden storm.
Spain’s Health Minister Mónica García said the move was necessary to keep evacuees and rescue teams safe. One of 14 Spaniards evacuated from the ship tested provisionally positive for hantavirus at a Madrid hospital. The patient is isolated and asymptomatic; the others remain in quarantine.
The World Health Organization warned Monday that new cases could appear in the coming days or weeks due to the disease's long incubation period.
On Tuesday, Spanish President Pedro Sánchez and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will meet to discuss the crisis response.