The European Commission tries to provide assistance and coordinate response of the countries affected by the hantavirus crisis, after the outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondiuswith at least 11 confirmed infections and two deaths, but Competencies in health matters are exclusive to governments of the European Union.
These are the steps that the crisis has followed and what Brussels can and cannot do in these cases:
On May 2, the European Commission and the bloc’s countries were notified of “an outbreak of severe respiratory illness aboard the MV Hondius”, caused by the Andes variant of the hantavirus, the only one that is spread between people. That notification It was done through the Early Warning and Response System of the EU.
This system allows warn of possible cross-border health threats immediately, whatever type they are. It is considered necessary to activate it when that threat “is unusual or unexpected for the given place and time”which would be the case of the cruise. Also when mortality is high, spreads quickly or affects several countries making a coordinated response is necessaryas in this case.
It is the European Center for Disease Prevention and Controlin charge of evaluating risks and providing scientific advice, who receives them. This system was reinforced after the covid 19 epidemicbut it already existed before. It is the same as has been used in other crises related to outbreaks of infectious diseases such as Ebola or monkeypox.
In its assessment last Monday, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control He described the risk as “very low”. Experts allege that for the virus to be transmitted, contact must be “close and prolonged“and that measures have already been taken on board the ship precisely to reduce that risk among passengers and crew.
On Wednesday, May 6, four days later, an expert from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control was sent to the ship. The objective was that it could contribute to the investigation of the outbreak and inform European governments of the situation on the ship to assist in the repatriation of passengers.
That same day also took place the first meeting of the Health Security Committee. This committee brings together representatives of all European governments and allows the Twenty-seven to share information about the situationthe measures they are takingthe needs they may have or the risks to take into account. Experts usually also participate in this meeting.
On Thursday, May 7, The Commission summoned representatives of Spain, the country to which the cruise ship MV Hondius was heading, and Netherlands, ship’s flag, to coordinate the disembarkation. A later meeting also included representatives of all European governments with nationals on board.
Yes, last week Spain activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism to request assistance in evacuation operations. France, Netherlands, Greece and Ireland They are giving support. Also Norwaywhich, although not a member of the EU, participates in the mechanism, mobilized a medical evacuation plane. In addition, an expert from the Emergency Response Coordination Center has traveled to Tenerife to support the Spanish authorities.
One of the five French passengers on board the ship He is in intensive care and authorities have identified at least 22 people as close contacts. The rest of the passengers and people who may have been in contact with them will have to do home quarantine while your case is being evaluated.
Germany also carries out an exhaustive control of the four passengers on board the ship, who will be tested and monitored until the incubation period of the virus ends, reports Gemma Casadevall. For its part, the Netherlands has imposed a six-week quarantine. While Italy, for example, proposes strengthen controls on flights coming from affected areas, reports Irene Savio.
The Commission has confirmed that Health Safety Committee meetings will continue to “harmonize measures for the safe disembarkation, repatriation and tracking of passengers.” In parallel, also Multilateral contacts continue with affected countries and within the framework of the Civil Protection Mechanism, almost daily. The objective is for countries to have the last minute informationpossible infections may continue and adapt the answer like this.
Not much more. In 2022, in response to the covid 19 pandemic, The European Commission reinforced some of these mechanisms. For example, he gave the Health Security Committee the power to issue opinions and guidelines with measures specific measures to improve the coordination of the response to health emergencies.
This happened, for example, with quarantine periods, isolation measures or restrictions traveling during covid. But in practice, each government ended up doing what it considered necessary. Because ultimately, none of those recommendations are legally bindingleaving the final decision in the hands of the countries.
Another possible measure, if necessary, as happened with the coronavirus vaccines, would be the possibility of making joint purchases. The objective is to prevent EU countries from competing in the markets for essential medications or medical equipment in case of crisis.
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