Two Indian crew members aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise vessel MV Hondius are reported to be healthy and asymptomatic following a hantavirus scare that led the ship to anchor off the Canary Islands, Spain, according to a statement from the Indian Embassy in Madrid on Sunday.
The MV Hondius, carrying approximately 150 individuals, arrived in Spain amid heightened international health monitoring due to a reported hantavirus outbreak on board. Passengers were allowed to disembark after adhering to protocols established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Spanish authorities.
The two Indian nationals, employees of the vessel, have since been evacuated to the Netherlands for quarantine and health monitoring in line with safety guidelines. “The two Indian nationals are healthy and asymptomatic,” the embassy stated on May 10.
Indian authorities are in close communication with their Spanish counterparts and are actively monitoring the situation to ensure the safety and well-being of the Indian crew members. This incident occurs amid increased global awareness regarding hantavirus infections, triggered by the precautionary measures taken by health agencies across Europe.
Hantavirus is primarily transmitted by rodents and can, in rare instances, lead to severe respiratory conditions. However, experts have indicated that there is currently no immediate public health threat to India.
