Hantavirus Outbreak: Cruise Ship Passengers Evacuated in Batches, to Return Home by Special Flights
Following a hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship 'Hondius,' currently anchored off Tenerife Island in Spain's Canary Islands, Spanish authorities plan to evacuate passengers in batches by small boats to shore. They will then return to their home countries on special flights for quarantine and medical observation.
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- 📰 Published: May 10, 2026 at 22:59
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Central News Agency
(Tenerife Island, May 10, Central News Agency comprehensive foreign report) The cruise ship 'Hondius,' which experienced a hantavirus outbreak, is currently anchored offshore of Tenerife Island in Spain's Canary Islands. Spanish authorities plan to arrange for personnel on board to disembark in batches by small boats. After returning to their home countries on special flights, they will undergo quarantine and medical examination.
The Wall Street Journal reported that World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated yesterday that no one on the Dutch cruise ship 'Hondius' currently shows symptoms. He personally went to the Canary Islands to supervise the on-site evacuation operation.
Hantavirus is often transmitted through infected rodents. Currently, the only known hantavirus that can be transmitted from person to person is the Andes virus strain, which has been detected in 6 confirmed patients on board, raising international concern.
The WHO stated that as of May 8, a total of 8 reported cases were received, with 3 deaths.
Tedros stated that passengers evacuated from the 'Hondius' will "disembark at the industrial port of Granadilla, away from residential areas, and then proceed in sealed vehicles accompanied by guards, moving along fully sealed corridors," to transport them to the nearest airport for their return flights.
Tedros assured the residents of Tenerife Island in a statement: "You and your families will not come into contact with them."
According to reports, multiple charter flights or regular flights have been arranged to assist in evacuating cruise passengers, with destinations including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, and France.
This group of passengers includes 17 Americans. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plans to send personnel to the Canary Islands to meet them and assist in their transfer to a special quarantine facility in Omaha, Nebraska.
Spanish authorities stated that when the 'Hondius' was anchored offshore of Tenerife Island, health officials boarded the ship to conduct health checks for all passengers and crew. Afterwards, they will be sent ashore in groups of five by small boats. Passengers must wear masks and are not allowed to carry hand luggage. After disembarking, passengers will take buses to the nearby Tenerife South Airport for their special return flights.
According to reports, some crew members will remain on board, and the 'Hondius' will continue its journey to the Netherlands.
The French Ministry of Health stated that today it will assist 5 French passengers in evacuating. After returning to France, they will first be isolated in a hospital for 72 hours. After completing evaluations, arrangements will be made for their return home, followed by 45 days of isolation and appropriate monitoring.
No confirmed cases have been found in France, but health authorities noted that 8 French citizens had close contact with a confirmed case on an April 25 flight between St. Helena and Johannesburg. One of them showed mild symptoms, but preliminary test results as of May 8 were negative. (Translator: Hong Qi-yuan) 1150510
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(Tenerife Island, May 10, Central News Agency comprehensive foreign report) The cruise ship 'Hondius,' which experienced a hantavirus outbreak, is currently anchored offshore of Tenerife Island in Spain's Canary Islands. Spanish authorities plan to arrange for personnel on board to disembark in batches by small boats. After returning to their home countries on special flights, they will undergo quarantine and medical examination.
The Wall Street Journal reported that World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated yesterday that no one on the Dutch cruise ship 'Hondius' currently shows symptoms. He personally went to the Canary Islands to supervise the on-site evacuation operation.
Hantavirus is often transmitted through infected rodents. Currently, the only known hantavirus that can be transmitted from person to person is the Andes virus strain, which has been detected in 6 confirmed patients on board, raising international concern.
The WHO stated that as of May 8, a total of 8 reported cases were received, with 3 deaths.
Tedros stated that passengers evacuated from the 'Hondius' will "disembark at the industrial port of Granadilla, away from residential areas, and then proceed in sealed vehicles accompanied by guards, moving along fully sealed corridors," to transport them to the nearest airport for their return flights.
Tedros assured the residents of Tenerife Island in a statement: "You and your families will not come into contact with them."
According to reports, multiple charter flights or regular flights have been arranged to assist in evacuating cruise passengers, with destinations including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, and France.
This group of passengers includes 17 Americans. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plans to send personnel to the Canary Islands to meet them and assist in their transfer to a special quarantine facility in Omaha, Nebraska.
Spanish authorities stated that when the 'Hondius' was anchored offshore of Tenerife Island, health officials boarded the ship to conduct health checks for all passengers and crew. Afterwards, they will be sent ashore in groups of five by small boats. Passengers must wear masks and are not allowed to carry hand luggage. After disembarking, passengers will take buses to the nearby Tenerife South Airport for their special return flights.
According to reports, some crew members will remain on board, and the 'Hondius' will continue its journey to the Netherlands.
The French Ministry of Health stated that today it will assist 5 French passengers in evacuating. After returning to France, they will first be isolated in a hospital for 72 hours. After completing evaluations, arrangements will be made for their return home, followed by 45 days of isolation and appropriate monitoring.
No confirmed cases have been found in France, but health authorities noted that 8 French citizens had close contact with a confirmed case on an April 25 flight between St. Helena and Johannesburg. One of them showed mild symptoms, but preliminary test results as of May 8 were negative. (Translator: Hong Qi-yuan) 1150510
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship of yours is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news in real time.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.