Spanish Officials: Cruise Ship with Hanta Virus Outbreak to Dock in Canary Islands Within 3 Days

(Central News Agency, Madrid, 6th, comprehensive foreign news report) Despite opposition from the head of the Canary Islands autonomous community, the Spanish Minister of Health announced today that a cruise ship that had a deadly Hanta virus outbreak, causing 3 deaths, will dock in Tenerife, Canary Islands, "within 3 days."

According to AFP, the cruise ship will dock in Granadilla, Tenerife.

Spanish Minister of Health Monica Garcia Gomez stated at a press conference in Madrid: "The government will activate a joint health assessment and evacuation system, and all passengers will be repatriated unless medical conditions do not allow it."

Gomez also said that there are 14 Spanish citizens on board, including one crew member, who will be sent to the Gomez Ulla Military Hospital in Madrid.

She emphasized that the government is "closely monitoring" this international alert and will take all measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

Fernando Clavijo, president of the Canary Islands autonomous government, had earlier pointed out that there was no information from the central government and opposed the evacuation of patients in the archipelago.

Gomez responded that she has maintained "close contact" with Clavijo, and he will also participate in all relevant meetings.

A source close to the president of the Canary Islands autonomous community earlier told AFP that the medical evacuation flight that was supposed to transport a doctor on board to the islands had been canceled, but the reason was not explained.

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus later stated that 3 suspected cases, including the doctor, had been evacuated from the cruise ship and were on their way to the Netherlands for treatment.

The Dutch-flagged "MV Hondius" departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, in South America, and its original destination was the Republic of Cape Verde, but this West African island nation refused to allow the cruise ship to dock. Currently, 3 people have already died on board. (Editing: Liu Shuqin) 1150506