Hantavirus Outbreak Cruise Ship Completes Evacuation, MV Hondius Heads to Netherlands for Disinfection
The luxury cruise ship MV Hondius, affected by a Hantavirus outbreak, has completed the evacuation of its final passengers and some crew members. The ship has departed from Tenerife, Spain, and is en route to Rotterdam, Netherlands, for disinfection. The World Health Organization (WHO) supported the decision to evacuate passengers off the ship to balance public safety with the mental well-being of those on board.
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- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 15:16
- 🔍 Collected: May 12, 2026 at 15:32 (15 min after Published)
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The luxury cruise ship MV Hondius, which experienced a Hantavirus outbreak, has completed the evacuation of its final six passengers and some crew members from Tenerife, Spain, today, and has set sail for the Netherlands.
Tenerife is the largest of the eight Canary Islands, located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa.
According to reports from Reuters, Agence France-Presse, and the Associated Press, the MV Hondius made a brief stop at the port of Granadilla de Abona today to allow the final six passengers to disembark: four Australians, one British person residing in Australia, and one New Zealander.
An additional 19 crew members and two doctors were also evacuated. The cruise ship then continued its journey with the remaining 25 crew members, one doctor, and one nurse, heading to Rotterdam, Netherlands. It is expected to arrive on the evening of May 17th, at which time disinfection operations will be carried out.
With the disembarkation of the last group of passengers, this complex evacuation operation has been declared complete. Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia Gomez stated at the pier in Granadilla de Abona port today, "The mission is accomplished."
World Health Organization (WHO) Secretary-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press conference in Tenerife that the authorities chose to allow personnel on board to disembark and evacuate there, rather than forcing them into quarantine on the ship, in order to strike a balance between maintaining public safety and the psychological health of the passengers.
He added, "Some passengers even experienced psychological breakdowns. Staying for several weeks in confined cabins is very difficult. This was our best and only option."
The MV Hondius departed from Ushuaia in southern Argentina on April 1st, with a planned itinerary that included stops at several remote islands in Antarctica and the South Atlantic.
On April 11th, a Dutch man died on board after exhibiting symptoms of respiratory distress. The cause of death was initially undetermined, but subsequently, more individuals became infected and died.
On May 2nd, South African health authorities confirmed the outbreak for the first time after detecting Hantavirus in a British man receiving intensive care in the country.
Following a request from the WHO, Spanish authorities took over the management of the evacuation mission, and the MV Hondius diverted to the Canary Islands on May 6th to commence evacuation operations. (Translation by Tsai Chia-min) 1150512
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Tenerife is the largest of the eight Canary Islands, located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa.
According to reports from Reuters, Agence France-Presse, and the Associated Press, the MV Hondius made a brief stop at the port of Granadilla de Abona today to allow the final six passengers to disembark: four Australians, one British person residing in Australia, and one New Zealander.
An additional 19 crew members and two doctors were also evacuated. The cruise ship then continued its journey with the remaining 25 crew members, one doctor, and one nurse, heading to Rotterdam, Netherlands. It is expected to arrive on the evening of May 17th, at which time disinfection operations will be carried out.
With the disembarkation of the last group of passengers, this complex evacuation operation has been declared complete. Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia Gomez stated at the pier in Granadilla de Abona port today, "The mission is accomplished."
World Health Organization (WHO) Secretary-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press conference in Tenerife that the authorities chose to allow personnel on board to disembark and evacuate there, rather than forcing them into quarantine on the ship, in order to strike a balance between maintaining public safety and the psychological health of the passengers.
He added, "Some passengers even experienced psychological breakdowns. Staying for several weeks in confined cabins is very difficult. This was our best and only option."
The MV Hondius departed from Ushuaia in southern Argentina on April 1st, with a planned itinerary that included stops at several remote islands in Antarctica and the South Atlantic.
On April 11th, a Dutch man died on board after exhibiting symptoms of respiratory distress. The cause of death was initially undetermined, but subsequently, more individuals became infected and died.
On May 2nd, South African health authorities confirmed the outbreak for the first time after detecting Hantavirus in a British man receiving intensive care in the country.
Following a request from the WHO, Spanish authorities took over the management of the evacuation mission, and the MV Hondius diverted to the Canary Islands on May 6th to commence evacuation operations. (Translation by Tsai Chia-min) 1150512
Stand with facts, your every sponsorship is a force to protect press freedom.
Download CNA's "First Hand News" APP for real-time updates.
Text, images, and audio on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or used without authorization.
FAQ
What infectious disease occurred on the MV Hondius?
Hantavirus infection. A Dutch man died on board, followed by multiple infections and deaths.
Where did the passenger evacuation take place?
It took place at the port of Granadilla de Abona on Tenerife Island (Canary Islands), Spain.
What will happen to the MV Hondius next?
It is heading to Rotterdam, Netherlands, and is scheduled to arrive on the evening of May 17th, after which the entire ship will undergo disinfection.