The MV Hondius, where cases of hantavirus infection were recorded, is heading to the Canary Islands in Spain. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the ship is expected to arrive at its destination port on May 9, after which all passengers and crew members will undergo thorough medical examinations.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Condition of the Crew and Evacuation of the Sick
Among the crew members of the MV Hondius are five citizens of Ukraine. Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reported that their health condition is assessed as satisfactory, and no symptoms of illness have been detected. The Ukrainian embassy in the Netherlands is in contact with the ship’s operating company, Oceanwide Expeditions.
“Upon the ship’s arrival, a medical examination will be conducted for all passengers and crew members. The health condition of the 5 Ukrainian citizens, crew members of the ‘MV Hondius’, is satisfactory, and no signs of illness have been detected,” the press service stated.
Five individuals with symptoms of hantavirus have already been evacuated from the MV Hondius. The diagnosis has been confirmed in two of them — they are receiving treatment in Johannesburg (South Africa) and Zurich (Switzerland). Three others with suspected illness have been transported to medical facilities in the Netherlands and Germany. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, along with diplomatic institutions in the Netherlands and Malaysia, is keeping this situation under special control.
What is Known About Hantavirus
Hantavirus has several variants that can cause dangerous diseases such as hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome or hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome. Currently, there is no vaccine against hantavirus, and the main source of human infection is rodents.