The Indian Embassy in Madrid on Sunday confirmed that two Indian nationals aboard the Dutch-flagged vessel MV Hondius are safe and asymptomatic after a reportedHantavirus outbreaktriggered health protocols off the coast of Spain’s Canary Islands. The development comes as international health authorities and Spanish emergency agencies continue monitoring passengers and crew linked to the vessel.
According to the embassy, the MV Hondius arrived near the Canary Islands carrying around 150 individuals, including the two Indian nationals serving as crew members. The ship anchored off the Spanish coast amid concerns linked to aHantavirus outbreak, prompting authorities to activate precautionary containment and medical screening procedures in line with World Health Organization guidelines.
The embassy stated that all passengers onboard were later allowed to disembark under protocols established by the WHO and Spanish authorities. Officials clarified that the two Indian crew members showed no symptoms linked to the virus and remained in stable health throughout the process.
Spanish authorities subsequently coordinated the evacuation of the two Indian nationals to the Netherlands, where they are expected to undergo quarantine and observation under established health safety procedures. The move was confirmed by Spain’s National Center for Emergency Monitoring and Coordination (CENEM), which has been overseeing response measures connected to the vessel.
The Indian Embassy said the Ambassador remains in direct contact with Spanish authorities as well as the affected crew members. Officials added that the situation is being monitored continuously to ensure the safety and well-being of the Indian nationals involved.
The handling of the MV Hondius situation reflects the increasingly strict international health protocols now governing maritime travel and cruise operations following recent global disease outbreaks. Ships reporting suspected infectious disease cases are often isolated offshore while passengers and crew undergo medical evaluation and contact tracing.
Spanish authorities have not publicly disclosed the precise source of the suspected Hantavirus exposure onboard. However, the activation of WHO-linked containment procedures indicates that officials treated the situation with a high level of caution from the outset.
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Yuvraj Tyagi is a Senior Copy Editor, specializing in security, national, international and defense affairs. With extensive experience covering the Ka...View More
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