The first group of evacuations has taken place this morning with Spanish nationals being the first to disembark the virus ridden ship. First the passengers had to take small boats to a testing site. They then traveled in sealed vehicles to prevent further contamination. This group will then fly on a government plane to Madrid where they will be tested, treated, and quarantined.
The Irish members on board the ship, along with citizens from other countries, will be evacuated later today. They will be flown home by air ambulance this morning and are then said to be treated in a HSE facility, where the will quarantine for 45 days.
The Department of Health has stated that they have been working very closely with the Spanish government to ensure the safe passage of the two Irish woman, ensuring that they will have no contact with members of the public.
The statement continued “We understand that the two Irish passengers are currently well. Public health protocols will be followed once the ship has docked with regard to certification and assessment of the health of passengers. This will be overseen by the ECDC and the Spanish authorities.”
“Repatriation plans have been put in place by the Irish Government to transfer the two Irish passengers directly from Tenerife to Ireland upon disembarkation, contingent on their health status."
“On arrival in Ireland, they will be safely transferred to a HSE facility. They will need to quarantine for a period of time, in line with ECDC guidance and will be actively monitored during this time. If they become symptomatic, they will be assessed and treated as appropriate.”
In total there have been 8 cases of the virus recorded from the ship, 3 of which have been lethal. Hantavirus is normally spread by rodents. The Andes strain which has been identified on the ship is said to have a moderate risk to all onboard according to the WHO.
Professor Horgan CMO has assured the public that the risk of human transmission of hantavirus is very low and that we will not see a repeat of the covid-19 pandemic. What you need to know about the virus is available here.
While speaking at the Irish Pharmacy Union's annual conference in Carlow, she further stated "What is also important is not only is the transmission low but we're putting protocols in place so that there is even further confinement and that's the purpose of quarantine, is to really contain that infection but monitor people during that time, that they've no symptoms, to make sure they're looked after both physically and mentally."
The public are to be assured that Hantavirus is extremely rare in Ireland
