Hantavirus Outbreak Cruise Ship Arrives in Canary Islands, Spanish Police Escort to Dock
The Dutch-flagged cruise ship "MV Hondius," which experienced a fatal hantavirus outbreak, has arrived at Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands. Most of the approximately 150 people on board will soon be evacuated and arranged for repatriation, ending weeks at sea. Six cases of infection were confirmed on board, with three deaths, and the Andes virus strain, transmissible between humans, was detected.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 10, 2026 at 18:03
- 🔍 Collected: May 10, 2026 at 18:32 (28 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 10, 2026 at 18:34 (2 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Madrid 10th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) The Dutch-flagged cruise ship "MV Hondius," which experienced a fatal Hantavirus outbreak, arrived today at Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands. Most of the approximately 150 people on board will soon be evacuated and arranged for flights home, ending weeks of sea travel.
According to AFP, the Dutch-flagged "MV Hondius" docked in Granadilla, Tenerife, escorted by a Spanish Civil Guard vessel. Data from the ship tracking website VesselFinder also confirmed this news.
Following the recent hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship that caused 3 deaths, passengers and some crew members will be evacuated soon, and the ship will continue its journey to the Netherlands.
The deceased passengers include a Dutch couple and a German woman, with several others confirmed to have hantavirus.
Hantavirus is often transmitted through infected rodents. The only known hantavirus that can be transmitted between humans is the Andes virus strain, which has been detected in 6 confirmed patients on board, raising international concern.
Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's Director for Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, stated in a social media event: "We consider everyone on board as so-called high-risk contacts."
She pointed out that currently "no one on board is showing any symptoms," and "it is recommended that all disembarking passengers and crew undergo active tracking and follow-up observation for 42 days," adding that the risk of infection for the general public and residents of the Canary Islands remains low.
Oceanwide Expeditions, the operator of the cruise ship, earlier stated that "all passengers and some crew" were expected to disembark progressively from 7 AM GMT (3 PM Taiwan time) on the 10th, emphasizing that "(passengers) will be immediately sent to designated flights after disembarkation."
The WHO stated that as of May 8th, a total of 8 reported cases were received, with 6 confirmed cases and 3 deaths. All infections were from the Andes virus strain of hantavirus, emphasizing that there are no other suspected cases on board. (Translator: Hong Chi-yuan) 1150510
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(Central News Agency, Madrid 10th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) The Dutch-flagged cruise ship "MV Hondius," which experienced a fatal Hantavirus outbreak, arrived today at Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands. Most of the approximately 150 people on board will soon be evacuated and arranged for flights home, ending weeks of sea travel.
According to AFP, the Dutch-flagged "MV Hondius" docked in Granadilla, Tenerife, escorted by a Spanish Civil Guard vessel. Data from the ship tracking website VesselFinder also confirmed this news.
Following the recent hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship that caused 3 deaths, passengers and some crew members will be evacuated soon, and the ship will continue its journey to the Netherlands.
The deceased passengers include a Dutch couple and a German woman, with several others confirmed to have hantavirus.
Hantavirus is often transmitted through infected rodents. The only known hantavirus that can be transmitted between humans is the Andes virus strain, which has been detected in 6 confirmed patients on board, raising international concern.
Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's Director for Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, stated in a social media event: "We consider everyone on board as so-called high-risk contacts."
She pointed out that currently "no one on board is showing any symptoms," and "it is recommended that all disembarking passengers and crew undergo active tracking and follow-up observation for 42 days," adding that the risk of infection for the general public and residents of the Canary Islands remains low.
Oceanwide Expeditions, the operator of the cruise ship, earlier stated that "all passengers and some crew" were expected to disembark progressively from 7 AM GMT (3 PM Taiwan time) on the 10th, emphasizing that "(passengers) will be immediately sent to designated flights after disembarkation."
The WHO stated that as of May 8th, a total of 8 reported cases were received, with 6 confirmed cases and 3 deaths. All infections were from the Andes virus strain of hantavirus, emphasizing that there are no other suspected cases on board. (Translator: Hong Chi-yuan) 1150510
Choose to stand with facts; every donation protects the power of press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP for instant updates.
No text, images, or videos from this website may be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.