The first of two medical evacuation flights carrying patients from the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship MV Hondius has landed at Schiphol. At least one patient on board has been taken to Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC).
The flights transported a Dutchman (41), a British national (56), and a German (65). As well as two symptomatic crew members.
While both flights departed from Praia in Cape Verde, the first aircraft arrived at Schiphol on Wednesday evening. The second evacuation flight made an unscheduled stop in Gran Canaria, according to RTL Nieuws.
British man in Dutch hospital
The LUMC will not release any information about the patient it received. However, according to Sky News, a British man who worked as an expedition guide on the cruise ship is currently in isolation in a Dutch hospital.
“I have no idea how long I have to stay in the hospital,” he tells Sky News.
Meanwhile, the German patient has been sent to the UKD Academic Centre in Düsseldorf. This is according to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which says it is also in contact with the UK government.
At the time of writing, the second flight carrying a third patient has yet to arrive at Schiphol.
Cruise ship heads to Tenerife
The MV Hondius has been anchored off the Cape Verde coast since Sunday, denied permission to dock by local authorities. At the WHO’s request, Spain agreed to take the vessel in, with the Canary Islands as the closest port of call.
Spanish Health Minister Mónica García announced the ship will dock at Granadilla port on Tenerife within three days.
Once the Hondius reaches Tenerife, all passengers on board will undergo a medical examination. Spanish nationals will then be flown to Madrid and placed in quarantine at a military facility.
Meanwhile, those from other countries who later develop symptoms will still be required to go into quarantine in Spain.
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