TENERIFE: What began as a luxury expedition voyage across the Atlantic has rapidly escalated into one of the world’s most closely watched public health emergencies at sea.
Authorities in Spain, the World Health Organization (WHO), and multiple governments are now coordinating a large-scale international evacuation operation after a deadly hantavirus outbreak aboard the Dutch-flagged expedition cruise ship MV Hondius triggered global alarm.
The vessel arrived off the coast of Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands over the weekend carrying approximately 146 to 149 passengers and crew members after several deaths and confirmed infections linked to the Andes strain of hantavirus were reported onboard.
What happened aboard the MV Hondius?
According to international media reports and health officials, the outbreak first came to global attention after passengers aboard the ship began developing severe flu-like symptoms during the voyage.
The situation intensified after:
• Three passengers reportedly died
• Multiple passengers and crew members developed symptoms
• Several confirmed and suspected cases of hantavirus emerged
• The ship was denied docking at certain ports before eventually being allowed to anchor near Tenerife under strict WHO supervision
Passengers were reportedly confined to their cabins for days while medical teams monitored the spread of infection onboard. Hazmat-equipped personnel later began a carefully coordinated evacuation process.
How was hantavirus detected on the cruise ship?
Reports indicate that the outbreak was first linked to the ship after a British passenger associated with the voyage was diagnosed in Johannesburg, South Africa, on May 2. Further testing and epidemiological tracing connected several severe respiratory illnesses and deaths to hantavirus exposure.
Health investigators later confirmed infections associated with the Andes strain of hantavirus — a rare subtype known for limited human-to-human transmission.
Authorities said one evacuated American passenger also tested positive after arrival, while another passenger reportedly developed symptoms during repatriation flights.
WHO officials stressed that the overall risk to the wider public remains low and that hantavirus does not spread as easily as viruses such as COVID-19.
Where did the virus come from?
Investigators believe the infections may have originated earlier during the expedition’s South American leg, particularly in Argentina, where Andes virus infections are known to occur.
Hantaviruses are typically transmitted through exposure to infected rodents or rodent waste. However, the Andes strain is considered unusual because limited person-to-person transmission has previously been documented.
Related story: WHO monitors deadly hantavirus cluster on cruise ship as rare infection sparks global health alert
Spanish authorities emphasized that no rodents were found aboard the ship itself, suggesting the infections may have originated before embarkation or during shore excursions.
Tenerife evacuation operation underway
The evacuation in Tenerife has involved health authorities, military personnel, WHO experts, and emergency medical teams.
Passengers and crew were transferred in controlled groups using small boats and secured transportation systems to minimize public exposure risks. Many evacuees reportedly wore protective coverings while health screenings were conducted before flights home.
Passenger and crew breakdown: Who was onboard?
Reports vary slightly, but officials indicate the ship carried around 146–149 people in total during the outbreak response phase.
Confirmed or reported evacuations include:
- United Kingdom: Around 20–22 passengers repatriated for monitored quarantine
- Spain: Approximately 14 Spanish nationals evacuated to Madrid under health supervision
- France: Five passengers evacuated and isolated after arrival
- Ireland: Two passengers returned under strict quarantine protocols
- United States: Multiple passengers repatriated, including one positive asymptomatic case
- Turkiye: Three individuals reportedly evacuated
- Netherlands and other European countries: Dutch nationals along with Belgian, German, Greek, Guatemalan, and Argentine passengers transferred for quarantine
Reports also indicate around 30 crew members remained onboard to sail the vessel to the Netherlands for deep cleaning and disinfection procedures.
WHO monitoring and global tracing effort
The WHO has recommended up to 42 days of health monitoring for all passengers and close contacts because hantavirus can have a long incubation period.
International contact tracing efforts are now underway across multiple countries after some passengers had previously disembarked during earlier stops in remote territories, including Saint Helena and Tristan da Cunha.
In one extraordinary development, British medical specialists were reportedly deployed to Tristan da Cunha after a suspected case emerged on the isolated South Atlantic island.
What is hantavirus?
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially deadly disease primarily spread through contact with infected rodents, rodent saliva, urine, or droppings. Symptoms can initially resemble flu but may rapidly progress into severe respiratory distress or kidney complications.
There is currently no specific vaccine or universally approved antiviral treatment for the disease. Medical care largely focuses on early detection and supportive treatment.
Health experts continue to emphasize that the outbreak does not currently pose pandemic-level risks, though authorities remain cautious due to the unusual circumstances involving international maritime travel and the Andes virus strain.
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