Javier Padilla, the Secretary of State for Health, has expressed his disapproval of the President of the Canary Islands Government, Fernando Clavijo's, refusal to permit the MV Hondius cruise ship to dock in Tenerife. The vessel is affected by an outbreak of hantavirus, and Padilla stated that this position amounts to «boycotting an operation of global importance».
“"That idea he had of an infected mouse jumping from a ship to swim 200 meters and climb the dock to colonize Tenerife is not a risk."
Padilla insisted that the health risk from the MV Hondius is «remote», based on the endorsement of maritime health officials who confirm that those on board are asymptomatic and that the ship, being new, has no rodents. He also clarified that the hantavirus-carrying rodent is a mountain species, not marine, and noted that despite 500 annual cruises to Argentina and Chile, there has never been an outbreak in Europe.
The Secretary of State defended the operation deployed for the ship's docking in Tenerife, highlighting that the response times comply with the protocols of the European civil protection mechanism. This operation, involving 23 countries, is being carried out «in record time».
Earlier, the Canary President had stated that he would not authorize the docking of the MV Hondius in Tenerife to «avoid being an accomplice to something that endangers the health security» of the islands. He lamented the «lack of dialogue» with the national Executive and the absence of reports and logical explanations regarding the health status of the passengers, to whom he expressed his support.
The island president emphasized that he lacks guarantees of «zero risk» and that his Executive is guided by the criteria of regional authorities, who advise that the ship remain in Canary waters for the shortest possible time.
