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Hantavirus outbreak on MV Hondius: two Indian crew evacuated to the Netherlands
The Embassy of India in Spain said two Indian nationals serving as crew on the Dutch vessel MV Hondius were evacuated to the Netherlands after a reported hantavirus outbreak. Both are healthy and asymptomatic and will follow quarantine protocols. Passengers disembarked in the Canary Islands under WHO and Spanish health guidance.
Two Indian crew members from the Dutch ship MV Hondius were moved to the Netherlands. The Embassy of India in Spain said the two are healthy. The Indian mission also said both are asymptomatic. The ship had reported a hantavirus outbreak during its voyage.
MV Hondius, run by Oceanwide Expeditions, started sailing on April 1 from Argentina’s Ushuaia. The vessel reached Spain’s Canary Islands on Sunday after the outbreak alert. The ship carried about 150 people, including the two Indian nationals. The vessel remained anchored off the islands, the mission said.
MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak: Disembarkation and evacuation steps
The Embassy of India in Spain said passengers left the ship under rules set by the WHO. Spanish authorities also followed the same protocol, the statement said. The Spanish National Centre for Emergency Monitoring and Coordination, CENEM, briefed officials on the crew. It said the two Indian nationals were evacuated for quarantine in the Netherlands.
Indian Ambassador to Spain Jayant N Khobragade remained in touch with Spanish authorities. Jayant N Khobragade also stayed in contact with the two Indian crew members. The mission said this contact aimed to confirm safety and welfare. The embassy did not report any symptoms in either crew member.
MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak: WHO role and health checks
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the field response as disembarkation began. "WHO experts on the ground are working with the Spanish Health Ministry on the epidemiological assessment of the passengers and coordinating charter flights with the Interior Ministry,\" Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus posted online.
\"The operation included disinfection processes and personal protective equipment in each phase of the transfer. Exterior Health confirms that all are asymptomatic,\" Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus added. Authorities used protective gear and cleaning measures during each transfer step. The post linked the work to health checks for those leaving the ship.
MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak: Transmission, timing, and reported cases
Hantaviruses often spread to humans through infected rodents and their waste. Exposure can come from saliva, urine, or faeces. Infection often happens after breathing virus particles in the air. Risk can rise in closed spaces with weak ventilation, including ships and storage areas.
Symptoms usually appear between one and eight weeks after exposure. Officials described the reported cases as appearing isolated. Three people have died since the outbreak was first reported. AP said five passengers who left the ship were infected with hantavirus.
With inputs from PTI
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