Hantavirus Cruise Ship to Dock, Canary Islands Fear Repeat of COVID-19 Nightmare
A cruise ship with a Hantavirus outbreak is expected to arrive in Spain's Canary Islands this weekend, causing fear among residents who worry about a repeat of the COVID-19 pandemic's quarantine measures. Despite WHO emphasizing low risk, local concerns are growing over the impact on tourism and potential hospital lockdowns.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 16:52
- 🔍 Collected: May 7, 2026 at 17:01 (9 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 7, 2026 at 18:04 (1h 2m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Madrid, 6th, comprehensive foreign report) A cruise ship with a Hantavirus outbreak is expected to arrive in Spain's Canary Islands this weekend, a piece of news that has caused panic among local residents, fearing a repeat of the COVID-19 (2019 Coronavirus Disease) pandemic's quarantine measures.
Reuters reported that the 'MV Hondius', carrying 150 people, is expected to arrive at Tenerife on the 9th. Although the autonomous government of the Canary Islands protested, the cruise ship will be allowed to dock after the Spanish government agreed to the World Health Organization (WHO)'s request for acceptance.
In fact, the Canary Islands are no stranger to epidemic prevention and quarantine. In February 2020, before COVID-19 spread extensively in Europe, a hotel on Tenerife had cases, leading to over 700 tourists being trapped and quarantined for 14 days in a closed hotel, becoming one of the earliest regions in Europe to implement quarantine.
In addition to past psychological trauma, this highly tourism-dependent archipelago was also threatened by the Ebola virus in 2014. Furthermore, the local government has long complained about bearing an excessive burden in handling the West African migrant crisis.
Maria, a 62-year-old local resident, said: "We have always been willing to help and tolerant, but this time I feel it's too much. People are scared and worried. Spain is vast, with so many ports where this cruise ship could dock."
Although WHO emphasizes that the risk of the virus to the general public remains low, and currently detected variants are only transmitted from person to person through prolonged close contact, an anonymous nurse pointed out that anxiety still pervades locally, fearing hospitals might be locked down.
The nurse said: "This is like COVID all over again... everyone is worried about their children, elders, and vulnerable groups." She added that once virus isolation regulations are activated, schools and medical centers will be affected.
Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia stated today that none of the passengers on the cruise ship currently show symptoms, and they will be sent back to their respective countries; as for the 14 Spanish nationals on the cruise ship, they will be sent to a hospital in Madrid for isolation.
However, the local tourism industry is dissatisfied. Jorge Marichal, chairman of Ashotel (Tenerife Hotel Association), questioned why policymakers always seem to place a heavy burden on the Canary Islands compared to other international competitive markets.
Lope Afonso, Tourism Minister of the Canary Islands Autonomous Community, criticized the central government in Madrid for failing to effectively communicate supporting measures, making it difficult to alleviate the tourism industry's concerns.
In addition, some residents are worried that the epidemic might affect Pope Leo XIV's scheduled visit in June. Local comedian Omayra Cazorla joked on Instagram: "Can you imagine the Pope getting Hantavirus? We don't want to see that kind of headline." (Compiler: Liu Shuqin) 1150507
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship you provide is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.
(Central News Agency, Madrid, 6th, comprehensive foreign report) A cruise ship with a Hantavirus outbreak is expected to arrive in Spain's Canary Islands this weekend, a piece of news that has caused panic among local residents, fearing a repeat of the COVID-19 (2019 Coronavirus Disease) pandemic's quarantine measures.
Reuters reported that the 'MV Hondius', carrying 150 people, is expected to arrive at Tenerife on the 9th. Although the autonomous government of the Canary Islands protested, the cruise ship will be allowed to dock after the Spanish government agreed to the World Health Organization (WHO)'s request for acceptance.
In fact, the Canary Islands are no stranger to epidemic prevention and quarantine. In February 2020, before COVID-19 spread extensively in Europe, a hotel on Tenerife had cases, leading to over 700 tourists being trapped and quarantined for 14 days in a closed hotel, becoming one of the earliest regions in Europe to implement quarantine.
In addition to past psychological trauma, this highly tourism-dependent archipelago was also threatened by the Ebola virus in 2014. Furthermore, the local government has long complained about bearing an excessive burden in handling the West African migrant crisis.
Maria, a 62-year-old local resident, said: "We have always been willing to help and tolerant, but this time I feel it's too much. People are scared and worried. Spain is vast, with so many ports where this cruise ship could dock."
Although WHO emphasizes that the risk of the virus to the general public remains low, and currently detected variants are only transmitted from person to person through prolonged close contact, an anonymous nurse pointed out that anxiety still pervades locally, fearing hospitals might be locked down.
The nurse said: "This is like COVID all over again... everyone is worried about their children, elders, and vulnerable groups." She added that once virus isolation regulations are activated, schools and medical centers will be affected.
Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia stated today that none of the passengers on the cruise ship currently show symptoms, and they will be sent back to their respective countries; as for the 14 Spanish nationals on the cruise ship, they will be sent to a hospital in Madrid for isolation.
However, the local tourism industry is dissatisfied. Jorge Marichal, chairman of Ashotel (Tenerife Hotel Association), questioned why policymakers always seem to place a heavy burden on the Canary Islands compared to other international competitive markets.
Lope Afonso, Tourism Minister of the Canary Islands Autonomous Community, criticized the central government in Madrid for failing to effectively communicate supporting measures, making it difficult to alleviate the tourism industry's concerns.
In addition, some residents are worried that the epidemic might affect Pope Leo XIV's scheduled visit in June. Local comedian Omayra Cazorla joked on Instagram: "Can you imagine the Pope getting Hantavirus? We don't want to see that kind of headline." (Compiler: Liu Shuqin) 1150507
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship you provide is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.