Tour operator Oceanwide Expeditions said two Irish nationals are on board the MV Hondius, which is at the centre of an outbreak of the disease.
An ambulance boat arriving to help passengers on the MV Hondius(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The Government will do everything possible to make sure Irish citizens on the hantavirus-hit cruise ship get home safely, Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said.
Tour operator Oceanwide Expeditions said two Irish nationals are on board the MV Hondius, which is at the centre of an outbreak of the disease.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said eight cases of the virus have been reported, including three deaths.
The organisation said it is working with all of the countries who have passengers on board the MV Hondius on plans for their passage home.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said health authorities are “working actively” to bring the Irish citizens home.
Asked if they will have to quarantine, he said: “Health Service Executive and public health protocols will apply. Obviously, quarantine and isolation will be part of that.”
He added: “We have a duty of care to our citizens, we want our citizens to come back in a safe way, and we will do everything possible to facilitate that. That’s our obligation.”
He said the ship is due to dock in Tenerife “shortly”, adding that “we’ll see progress from then onwards and that’s important”.
It comes as health bosses in Ireland said they are monitoring the situation “closely” but acknowledge things were “evolving”.
The Department of Health said the National Health Protection Office was “preparing” for the needs of the two Irish citizens on board.
They stressed any decision to repatriate would be based “on their medical status”.
They also revealed the National Incident Management Team has been activated. The group will coordinate the public health response.
In a statement, The Department of Health told The Irish Mirror: “The situation with regard to the MV Hondius is evolving and is being monitored closely by the Department of Health and the National Health Protection Office (NHPO) in the Health Service Executive (HSE), working with international partners including the European Commission, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), and also our colleagues in Northern Ireland.
“We understand that the cruise ship MV Hondius is currently expected to dock in Tenerife on Sunday 10th May. We understand that no passengers are symptomatic at present. Public health protocols will be followed once the ship has docked with regard to certification and assessment of the health of passengers.”
They added: “The NHPO is preparing for the appropriate follow-up and care, as needed, for the two Irish nationals on board the MV Hondius. For the two Irish nationals on board, decisions regarding repatriation will be taken depending on their medical status, following public health guidance.
“Plans are being developed to manage the care of the two Irish nationals on return to Ireland. Again, this is dependent on their medical status. At a minimum, it is expected that they will need to quarantine for a period of time, in line with ECDC guidance, and will be actively monitored during this time. Decisions with regard to where they will quarantine will be made on a case-by-case basis. If they become symptomatic, they will be assessed and treated as appropriate.
“The National Incident Management Team of the NHPO has been stood up and is coordinating the public health response to ensure optimal patient care and safety for those affected by this Hantavirus outbreak, and to protect broader public health.”
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here