MV Hondius Operation Concludes: 125 Repatriated and 14 Spaniards Monitored in Madrid

Following a hantavirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, passengers and crew have been evacuated and repatriated to their home countries.

Summary of the Outbreak

The ship was hit by the Andes strain of hantavirus, a rare virus that the World Health Organization (WHO) notes can spread from human to human, though the global risk to the public remains low [4]. The outbreak resulted in:

• Deaths: Three people died, including a German national and a Dutch couple [3].
• Illnesses: A total of eight people fell ill, with six confirmed cases and two suspected cases [3].

Evacuation Process

The MV Hondius anchored at the Port of Granadilla near Tenerife, Spain [1]. Between Sunday, May 10, and Monday, May 11, 2026, authorities conducted an evacuation to avoid worsening sea conditions [1, 3]. According to the tour operator Oceanwide Expeditions, 122 individuals (87 guests and 35 crew members) were repatriated [1].

Current Status of Passengers

Passengers from nearly two dozen countries were repatriated [2]. Specific details include:

• United States: 17 American passengers were evacuated and sent to facilities in Nebraska and Atlanta, Georgia, for evaluation and quarantine [1, 4]. One passenger tested "mildly" positive for the virus, although Spanish authorities described that specific result as inconclusive [1].
• France: A French woman tested positive upon returning to France; her health deteriorated overnight, and she is currently being treated in a specialist hospital [1].
• Other Nationalities: Travelers from Canada, the Netherlands, the UK, Ireland, Turkey, and Spain were among those disembarked and returned home [5]. Those who developed symptoms were directed to the Netherlands for medical care [3].