Evacuation Underway for Hantavirus-Affected Cruise Ship in Canary Islands

May 10, 2026

73 min

May 10, 2026 13:31

Evacuation of hantavirus-hit ship begins in Canary Islands

## Evacuation Efforts Begin

Passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship, affected by a hantavirus outbreak, are being evacuated from the Canary Islands. The operation started on Sunday, with passengers being flown home from Tenerife.

## Health Concerns

The outbreak has resulted in three fatalities, including a Dutch couple and a German woman. The hantavirus, primarily spread by rodents, has no vaccine or specific treatment. Despite the outbreak, health officials have indicated that the global health risk remains low.

## Repatriation Details

The final evacuation flight is scheduled for Monday, destined for Australia. Passengers have been disembarking in protective suits, transferring to smaller boats, and then to Tenerife South airport. The first repatriation flight carried 14 Spaniards to Madrid for quarantine.

## International Coordination

The World Health Organization and Spanish authorities are coordinating the evacuation. Separate flights are arranged for citizens from various countries, including Germany, Belgium, and the US. The operation must conclude by Monday due to impending adverse weather.

## Safety Measures

Spanish authorities have ensured no contact between evacuees and the local population. The ship was only allowed to anchor offshore, and passengers underwent medical assessments before disembarkation.

## Global Monitoring

The Andes virus, a hantavirus type that can spread between humans, has been confirmed among the cases. The WHO has verified six cases, with no new suspected cases on the ship. The MV Hondius had traveled from Argentina, with the first infection believed to have occurred before the voyage.

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