A luxury expedition cruise ship carrying passengers affected by a hantavirus outbreak is expected to remain offshore near Tenerife rather than dock directly at the island’s port, as Spanish and international health authorities work to contain the situation and safely evacuate travelers.
The vessel, the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius, became the focus of international concern after several passengers developed symptoms linked to the rare Andes strain of hantavirus during a voyage that began in South America. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), multiple confirmed and suspected cases have been identified, with at least three deaths connected to the outbreak.
The cruise had departed from Argentina and traveled through remote Antarctic regions before heading north across the Atlantic. Reports indicate that the first illnesses appeared in April, with symptoms including fever, respiratory distress and severe flu-like complications. Health authorities believe the infections may have originated before passengers boarded the ship, possibly during excursions in South America, where hantavirus is known to circulate among rodents.
Initially, the ship remained anchored off Cape Verde after local authorities determined that their medical infrastructure could not safely handle a large-scale evacuation. Spain later agreed, in coordination with the WHO and European health agencies, to receive the vessel near the Canary Islands.
However, growing concern among Tenerife residents and regional officials led to additional precautions. Authorities confirmed that the MV Hondius would not conduct a normal port docking operation. Instead, the ship is expected to remain at anchor offshore near Granadilla, south of Tenerife, while passengers are screened and evacuated under strict biosecurity measures. Transfers are planned via controlled boat operations and isolated transport corridors directly to airports or medical facilities, with no contact expected between passengers and the general public.
The WHO has repeatedly stressed that the outbreak does not represent “another COVID-19” and that the risk to the broader public remains low. Experts note that hantavirus is significantly less contagious than coronavirus and usually spreads through contact with infected rodents. The Andes variant involved in this case is unusual because limited human-to-human transmission has been documented, particularly through prolonged close contact.
Spanish authorities, together with international health agencies, have prepared quarantine and repatriation plans for passengers from several countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States and other European nations. Some travelers will reportedly undergo precautionary isolation after returning home.
The situation has also reignited memories of pandemic-era restrictions in the Canary Islands, where some residents expressed concern over hosting a vessel linked to a deadly virus outbreak. Regional leaders questioned the Spanish government’s decision-making process and demanded stronger guarantees for public safety.
Despite the anxiety surrounding the incident, health officials continue to emphasize that the operation is being handled under tightly controlled conditions and that there is currently no indication of widespread public danger.
Sources:
- World Health Organization – Hantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel
- Reuters – Canary Islands rejects cruise ship docking
- Reuters – Hantavirus-hit cruise ship heads to Spain
- The Guardian – UK passengers to be quarantined after Tenerife arrival
- Le Monde – Cruise ship to remain offshore near Tenerife
- ECDC – Andes hantavirus outbreak updates
- Business Insider – WHO says outbreak is “not another COVID-19”
