Hantavirus Hits Cruise Ship, Tedros Personally Oversees Evacuation in Spain
Passengers and some crew members began disembarking the MV Hondius cruise ship in Tenerife, Spain, after a hantavirus outbreak with three confirmed deaths. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus personally oversaw the evacuation efforts.
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- 📰 Published: May 10, 2026 at 10:23
- 🔍 Collected: May 10, 2026 at 10:31 (7 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 10, 2026 at 10:47 (15 min after Collected)
The Hague, May 9 (CNA) Cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions announced today that all passengers and some crew members on the MV Hondius cruise ship would begin disembarking around 7 a.m. GMT (3 p.m. Taiwan time) on May 10.
Agence France-Presse reported that Oceanwide Expeditions stated in a declaration that the MV Hondius is expected to arrive in Granadilla, Tenerife, around 4:30 a.m. GMT (12:30 p.m. Taiwan time). Once disembarkation procedures are completed, personnel will be "immediately transferred to their respective arranged flights."
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus personally assisted in coordinating the evacuation of all personnel from the ship.
Three passengers have already died on board, consisting of a Dutch couple and a German woman, with others infected with this rare disease. This disease is typically transmitted from rodents to humans.
Confirmed cases have tested positive for the Andes virus strain, which is the only known hantavirus strain capable of human-to-human transmission, further escalating international concerns.
Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, stated today: "We classify everyone on board as so-called high-risk contacts."
She added that for the general public and residents of the Canary Islands, the risk of infection remains very low.
Tedros, who arrived in Spain today, also gave the same assurance and expressed gratitude for the "solidarity" shown by Tenerife residents. (Edited by Chen Yu-ting) 1150510
Agence France-Presse reported that Oceanwide Expeditions stated in a declaration that the MV Hondius is expected to arrive in Granadilla, Tenerife, around 4:30 a.m. GMT (12:30 p.m. Taiwan time). Once disembarkation procedures are completed, personnel will be "immediately transferred to their respective arranged flights."
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus personally assisted in coordinating the evacuation of all personnel from the ship.
Three passengers have already died on board, consisting of a Dutch couple and a German woman, with others infected with this rare disease. This disease is typically transmitted from rodents to humans.
Confirmed cases have tested positive for the Andes virus strain, which is the only known hantavirus strain capable of human-to-human transmission, further escalating international concerns.
Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, stated today: "We classify everyone on board as so-called high-risk contacts."
She added that for the general public and residents of the Canary Islands, the risk of infection remains very low.
Tedros, who arrived in Spain today, also gave the same assurance and expressed gratitude for the "solidarity" shown by Tenerife residents. (Edited by Chen Yu-ting) 1150510