Overview
- Spain’s health ministry confirmed late Tuesday that the MV Hondius can sail to the Canary Islands for screening, treatment and planned repatriation.
- WHO reports two lab-confirmed infections, five suspected cases and three deaths linked to the voyage.
- Officials in South Africa and at Geneva University Hospital said tests identified the Andes strain, a hantavirus known for rare spread between close contacts.
- WHO said Wednesday that evacuations are underway for three people, including two crew members, while a British patient is in intensive care in Johannesburg and the ship’s doctor is set for air transfer.
- Authorities are tracing passengers from the St. Helena to Johannesburg flight and watching for new illnesses during a weeks-long incubation period, with WHO assessing risk to the general public as low.