MV Hondius Reaches Canary Islands Following Hantavirus Outbreak

The MV Hondius cruise ship, which became the epicenter of a hantavirus outbreak during its voyage across the South Atlantic, has arrived in the Canary Islands, where a coordinated evacuation of passengers and crew is now underway. The ship docked off Tenerife on May 10, 2026, marking the culmination of a harrowing journey that turned a luxury expedition into a public health crisis. Passengers, many of whom were asymptomatic upon arrival, are being disembarked in strict isolation protocols, with some already repatriated to their home countries aboard military and government aircraft.

Spanish authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO) have overseen the evacuation, which began with Spanish nationals being flown to Madrid for quarantine and medical observation. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that one of five French passengers evacuated to Paris began showing symptoms of hantavirus during the flight, prompting immediate isolation measures. The French government has since issued a decree for strict quarantine protocols for these individuals.

As of May 10, more than 90 of the nearly 150 passengers on board were expected to be evacuated by the end of the day, with the operation continuing into Monday. Disembarkation is being carried out in small groups, with passengers allowed only essential items and documentation. Those leaving the ship are being sprayed with disinfectant, donned in protective gear and transported directly to repatriation flights without contact with the local population.

Health Risks and Public Assurance

Health officials, including WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, have repeatedly stressed that the risk to the general public remains low. “This is not another COVID,” Tedros stated in an open letter to the people of Tenerife. “The risk to the public is low. So they shouldn’t be scared, and they shouldn’t panic.” The Andes virus strain, which can spread between people in rare cases, has been confirmed among those infected, but the WHO and Spanish authorities insist that the situation is under control.

Three passengers—two Dutch nationals and one German—have died from the outbreak, while others have fallen ill. Four additional individuals in Italy are under surveillance after briefly boarding a flight with one of the victims. The ship itself will continue its journey to Rotterdam, Netherlands, where remaining crew and the body of a deceased passenger will be handled according to international health protocols.

Context and Transmission

Hantavirus typically spreads through exposure to rodent droppings or urine, but the Andes strain is the only known variant capable of limited person-to-person transmission. Symptoms usually appear between one and eight weeks after exposure, and the disease is not easily spread through casual contact. Despite the precautions, the evacuation process has been met with a mix of relief and concern, as passengers finally leave behind a ship that has been under quarantine for days.

Diana Rojas Alvarez, the WHO health operations lead in Tenerife, noted the visible relief among passengers as they disembarked. “It’s been great seeing all the buses coming out and people really happy to be on land again and being repatriated,” she said. The operation, supervised by both Spanish and WHO officials, aims to ensure that the health risks are contained while passengers are safely returned to their home countries.

Next Steps

The MV Hondius is expected to depart the Canary Islands after all passengers have been evacuated, with the ship continuing its voyage to Rotterdam. There, further health and safety measures will be implemented to address any remaining concerns. The incident has highlighted the challenges of managing infectious disease outbreaks at sea and the importance of international cooperation in public health crises.

As the situation develops, health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with the WHO and Spanish government providing regular updates to the public. For now, the focus remains on ensuring the safe and swift return of all passengers and crew, while minimizing any potential risk to local communities.