This news comes at a crucial time, as the Spanish health system prepares for the challenge of managing the docking of the MV Hondius at the port of Granadilla de Abona within the next 48 hours. The crew member had been isolated after showing symptoms consistent with the disease, following contact with one of the fatalities in Johannesburg.

The negative result for the stewardess allows health authorities to rule out, for now, further spread of the virus beyond the immediate environment of the ship and its ports of call. To date, the official toll of the crisis remains at three deaths and five infected individuals.

Tenerife's selection for this operation is due to the island's possession of the High-Level Isolation and Treatment Unit (UATAN) at the Hospital Universitario de Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria. This unit is one of only 17 such facilities across Spain and the sole one in the Canary Archipelago, making it a key resource for addressing the situation.