Passengers and crew from the MV Hondius cruise ship, hit by a hantavirus outbreak, begin evacuation after docking in Tenerife. The process sends 147 passengers home over the coming week, despite strong opposition from local residents.

Disembarkation and Transport

Groups disembark on Sunday at the Port of Granadilla. Ferries shuttle passengers to the island, followed by buses to the airport. Spain’s Health Minister Mónica García announces the first group includes 14 Spanish nationals, followed by two Dutch passengers.

Officials ensure evacuated groups avoid public contact, even though no symptoms appear among passengers. All passengers qualify as high-risk contacts, according to public health authorities.

Outbreak Details and WHO Guidance

The World Health Organization urges a 42-day quarantine for those onboard, following the first confirmed hantavirus case on May 2. A Friday update confirms eight former passengers fell ill, with six testing positive for the virus typically spread through infected rat waste.

Four patients remain hospitalized in South Africa, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Tests in Germany prove negative for a suspected case, and a Spanish woman exposed via a shared flight also tests negative.

Deaths and Pre-Evacuation Testing

Medical teams conduct tests before disembarkation. Three fatalities occur—a Dutch couple and a German national—linked to exposure after the ship departs Argentina last month.

No rats appear on board, Spain’s health ministry confirms.

Repatriation Plans

Nations including the US, Germany, France, Belgium, Ireland, and the Netherlands dispatch aircraft for repatriation. Oceanwide Expeditions coordinates disembarkation with incoming flights.

The US Centers for Disease Control directs 17 American passengers to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for evaluation, followed by home return with daily monitoring. Public health officials assess the general risk as low.

Passengers stay aboard until flights arrive. Thirty crew members remain on the vessel, which heads to the Netherlands for disinfection.