No Cases of Hantavirus Recorded in the Canary Islands
Positive Outcome Following Health Surveillance
The Secretary of Organisation for PSOE Canarias, Nira Fierro, highlighted on Sunday that no cases of hantavirus have been reported in the Archipelago after the conclusion of the health surveillance period established by international authorities. This followed the arrival of the cruise ship Hondius at the port of Granadilla, Tenerife.
Fierro stated that the end of the quarantine without any new infections demonstrates that the messages of reassurance communicated from the outset were appropriate. She also emphasised that the response from public administrations was guided by scientific rigor and adherence to established protocols.
Accountability in Crisis Management
Fierro affirmed, “Reality has shown that we acted responsibly,” asserting that throughout the management of this health incident, priority was given to protecting individuals, human dignity, and respect for scientific criteria.
According to her, the absence of infections following the monitoring period confirms that the actions taken by health authorities and public services were correct from the very beginning. She added that this outcome should reinforce public confidence in the institutions’ ability to respond to health emergencies.
Criticism of Alarmists
In her statements, Fierro also criticised those who, in her view, exploited the situation to generate anxiety among the populace. “Some preferred to fuel uncertainties or spread messages that did not contribute to collective calm,” she asserted, while emphasising that the best response to such crises relies on truthful information, respect for scientific evidence, and trust in public services.
The socialist leader maintained that concluding the episode without any infections demonstrates that the alarmist messages circulated over recent weeks did not reflect the reality of the situation.
Acknowledgment of Efforts
Fierro took the opportunity to thank all professionals involved in the operation deployed at the port of Granadilla following the arrival of the cruise affected by the hantavirus outbreak. She particularly noted “the solidarity, humanity, and empathy” shown by both the teams involved in managing the incident and the wider Canarian society.
She assured that ending the surveillance period with no registered cases underscores the importance of addressing crises with institutional responsibility and rigorous reporting.
Reference to Torres
During her evaluation, Fierro also praised the crisis management approach employed by former Canary Islands President and current Minister Ángel Víctor Torres, whom she cited as an example for his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic and the volcanic eruption in La Palma.
For the socialist leader, “politics must serve the citizens, helping to provide certainties and solutions,” while avoiding contributing to misinformation or unnecessary alarmraising.
