In recent developments from Spain, the Canary Islands’ regional government has expressed its opposition to a luxury cruise ship affected by a hantavirus outbreak docking at the islands. Fernando Clavijo, the leader of the regional government, made this announcement during an interview with radio station COPE.
Clavijo emphasized that the decision was not based on technical assessments, nor was there adequate information available to ensure public safety. He indicated that he has sought an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to address the situation. Clavijo’s coalition includes the conservative People’s Party, which serves as the primary opposition to Sánchez’s Socialist government.
Earlier today, Spanish state broadcaster TVE reported that the cruise ship was scheduled to dock in Tenerife, according to sources from the health ministry. However, the ministry has not yet responded to inquiries from Reuters regarding the matter.
In a separate report, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that three individuals, comprising two crew members and one passenger suspected of being infected with hantavirus, were being evacuated from the MV Hondius, which is currently located off the coast of Cape Verde.
The MV Hondius has been at the center of a health crisis since Saturday when the WHO was notified of three fatalities among passengers, with hantavirus suspected as the cause. This rare disease is typically transmitted through contact with infected rodents, including exposure to their urine, droppings, and saliva.
In South Africa, health authorities have identified the Andes strain of hantavirus in two individuals who disembarked from a cruise ship experiencing an outbreak. According to a presentation made by the health minister to parliament, tests from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases confirmed that this strain was responsible for the infection in a Dutch woman who died in Johannesburg and a British man who remains hospitalized. Both individuals had fallen ill while on the ship.
The presentation noted that the Andes strain is the only variant known to transmit between humans, though such occurrences are exceedingly rare and typically require close contact.
In other news, Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz has called on NATO member countries to expedite increases in their defense budgets. Speaking at the Defence24 Days conference in Warsaw, he emphasized the urgent need for Europe to prioritize its security and defense capabilities.
Kosiniak-Kamysz warned that threats extend beyond the borders of Russia and Belarus, encompassing a wider range of risks, including cyber threats. He highlighted the necessity for Europe to take greater responsibility for its safety, while clarifying that this does not equate to replacing U.S. troops, whose strategic role remains essential for the transatlantic alliance.
He also hinted at the possibility of increasing the number of U.S. troops stationed in Poland, which currently stands at around 10,000. Kosiniak-Kamysz stated, “Regardless of the decisions made today between the United States and Germany, enhancing the American military presence is a strategic goal for us, and we are prepared to accommodate additional troops.” He aims for Poland to build Europe’s largest military force by 2030, targeting an army of 500,000 personnel, including 200,000 professional soldiers.
Meanwhile, the Swiss government has confirmed that one individual, who was a passenger on the cruise ship and has contracted hantavirus, is currently receiving treatment in Zurich. Authorities reassured the public that there is no immediate threat to the population in Switzerland.
In conjunction with the ongoing events surrounding the hantavirus outbreak, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has urged the European Commission to activate its blocking statute against U.S. sanctions related to the International Criminal Court (ICC). This measure would instruct European companies not to comply with the imposed sanctions.
In a statement on social media platform X, Sánchez asserted, “Spain does not turn a blind eye. Punishing those who uphold international justice jeopardizes the entire human rights framework.” This follows an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump, which authorized stringent economic sanctions against the ICC, accusing the court of pursuing “illegitimate and baseless actions” against the U.S. and Israel.
