Hantavirus Cruise Ship Arrives in Spain’s Canary Islands
A cruise ship affected by a hantavirus outbreak has arrived at the port of Granadilla de Abona in Spain’s Canary Islands, where most of the nearly 150 passengers and crew members on board will be evacuated and repatriated after weeks at sea.
The Dutch-flagged MV Hondius was escorted into the port by a Civil Guard vessel. Health authorities have classified all individuals on board as high-risk contacts due to the outbreak, which has resulted in three fatalities and several confirmed cases of hantavirus infection.
The three deceased passengers include a Dutch couple and a German woman. The virus strain confirmed on the ship is the Andes virus, a rare hantavirus notable for its capability to transmit from person to person, intensifying concerns among international health officials.
Maria Van Kerkhove, Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness at the World Health Organization (WHO), emphasized that while those on board are considered high-risk, the risk to the general public and residents of the Canary Islands remains low. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who arrived in Spain to oversee the evacuation, reiterated these assurances and thanked the people of Tenerife for their cooperation.
Despite the crisis, the situation around the port has remained calm, with normal daily activities ongoing, including local shopping and leisure at cafes. Authorities have implemented strict security measures, including maritime exclusion zones around the vessel and sealed-off areas at the port.
The ship will not dock but remain offshore during the evacuation process, which is scheduled to occur over Sunday and Monday to take advantage of favorable weather conditions. Passengers will disembark by nationality and immediately be transported by aircraft to their home countries.
Earlier in the voyage, three infected individuals were evacuated in Cape Verde, and ongoing passenger tracking and contact tracing efforts continue in several countries. Authorities have identified no new suspected cases on the ship itself. A limited quarantine remains in effect for some contacts who tested negative but are monitored closely.
Originating from Ushuaia, Argentina, with a departure date of April 1, the cruise’s route and incubation periods have been carefully analyzed, with officials stating a very low likelihood that the infection was contracted prior to the journey.
Health officials emphasize vigilance and containment measures to prevent further spread, while assuring the public that the outbreak is being closely managed and does not pose a broader public health threat.