The MV Hondius cruise ship has arrived near the island of Tenerife almost a month after the first passenger died from hantavirus on board, putting Spanish authorities on high health alert, the BBC reports.
The operation to welcome the ship at the port of Granadilla is taking place under strict security measures, while more than 100 people are expected to disembark to be repatriated to their countries.
According to authorities, the ship will not be allowed to approach the shore directly. A one-nautical-mile security perimeter has been established around it, and after entering the port it will remain anchored at sea to maintain isolation.
Spanish authorities have described the operation as “unprecedented” as it aims to prevent the spread of the rare Andean variant of hantavirus. The operation involves 23 countries and extraordinary security and coordination measures have been taken.
Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia said the risk to the general population remains low, calling for the avoidance of panic and misinformation.
Meanwhile, security measures have been significantly increased at the industrial port in the south of Tenerife. Spanish military police and emergency teams have set up waiting areas and access to the port area has been restricted.
After the ship docks, medical teams will board to screen all passengers and crew for symptoms of the virus. According to recent reports, no other suspected cases have been identified.
Afterwards, the people on board will be separated by nationality and transported by small vehicles to the coast, where charter planes await them for repatriation.
