By Marita Moaje
MANILA – Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac on Thursday said all 38 Filipino seafarers aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius have not been infected with the deadly hantavirus, despite an outbreak on the vessel that killed three passengers.
In a media briefing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, Cacdac said the Filipino crew members are being monitored by the Philippine government.
“So thus far, yung barko (the ship) is reportedly somewhere near the Canary Islands and based on the last report, pinayagan silang magdaong sa (they were allowed to dock in the) Canary Islands with the 38 Filipino crew on board,” he said.
“And all 38 Filipino crew have reportedly not been afflicted. Hindi sila nadapuan ng hantavirus (They were not affected by the hantavirus). However, we continue to monitor their situation,” he added.
Cacdac said the outbreak primarily involved passengers of the cruise ship, including three who reportedly died since the ship sailed from Argentina a month ago, while some have been evacuated from the ship and were hospitalized.
He assured the Philippine government, through the DMW, Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of Health (DOH), under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive, is closely coordinating with international health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO), on the issue.
Cadac said the DMW and the DOH are maintaining direct communication with the seafarers through the ship’s manning agency and owner.
He added that the government is also providing support to the families of the 38 seafarers.
Meanwhile, Cacdac said that while some crew members have expressed a desire to return home, their repatriation will depend on strict medical clearance procedures in line with international health protocols.
“Wino-workout naman din ang kanilang safe repatriation (Their safe repatriation is also being worked on), but we just need to be a little more patient as this is a global concern, and therefore we need to abide by global medical authorities and global medical clearances, processes for medical clearances, and protocols.
The WHO said hantavirus victims on the ship may have been infected prior to joining the cruise, and human-to-human transmission on board cannot be ruled out. (PNA)
