Passengers and crew from the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship MV Hondius have begun evacuating in Tenerife, Spain, following a rare outbreak that has claimed three lives. The Dutch-flagged vessel, carrying nearly 150 people from over 20 nationalities, docked in the Canary Islands on Sunday, May 10, 2026, after weeks at sea. Eight cases of the Andes strain of hantavirus—capable of human-to-human transmission—have been confirmed, prompting coordinated international repatriation efforts.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
The World Health Organization (WHO) and Spanish authorities are overseeing the evacuation, with passengers being transported by small boats to Tenerife South Airport. Flights are repatriating nationals to their home countries, where they will undergo quarantine. British passengers were flown to Manchester and will isolate at Arrowe Park Hospital, a former COVID-19 quarantine site. French passengers, including one who developed symptoms mid-flight, were taken to Bichat Hospital in Paris for 72-hour quarantine before self-isolating for 45 days. U.S. passengers will quarantine at the National Quarantine Center in Nebraska for 42 days.
Deeper Dive & Context
Global Response and Quarantine Measures
The WHO has classified all passengers and crew as high-risk contacts due to the Andes strain’s transmissibility. Spain’s Health Minister Mónica García confirmed the evacuation would be completed by Monday, May 11. The ship will continue to the Netherlands afterward. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the low public health risk, stating this is not another COVID-19 pandemic.
Medical and Logistical Challenges
Passengers were allowed only essential items, leaving luggage behind. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported three British cases, two confirmed and one suspected. A British national on Tristan da Cunha received medical aid via a parachute drop. The CDC downplayed fears of widespread transmission, noting hantavirus is typically rodent-borne.
International Coordination
Countries have sent dedicated flights to repatriate their citizens. Spain’s military hospital in Madrid is quarantining Spanish nationals. The final flight to Australia is scheduled for Monday. The WHO and Spanish authorities are ensuring no contact with the local population during evacuations.
Public Health Assurances
Experts stress the Andes strain’s rarity and the low risk to the general public. The CDC’s Jay Bhattacharya urged calm, citing the virus’s low transmissibility compared to COVID-19. The UKHSA and NHS assured normal operations at Arrowe Park Hospital, with no risk to patients or staff.