Spain Prepares Evacuations From Virus-Hit Cruise Ship

Spanish health officials moved to isolate and evacuate passengers from the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius as it headed toward Tenerife following a hantavirus outbreak that has killed at least three people and triggered a multinational health response.

The ship, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions , was carrying nearly 150 passengers and crew asourceser departing Argentina on April 1 for a polar expedition through Antarctica and remote South Atlantic islands.

Health officials confirmed or suspected multiple cases of the Andes strain of hantavirus, a rare version of the virus capable of limited human-to-human transmission. The World Health Organization said the overall global risk remains low.

Three deaths spark international response

The outbreak began weeks before authorities identified the virus.

A 70-year-old Dutch passenger became ill aboard the ship and died on April 11. His wife later disembarked on the island of St. Helena and died days later in a Johannesburg hospital. A German passenger also died onboard, while additional passengers and crew developed severe respiratory symptoms.

The WHO said at least seven cases had been identified by May 4, including three deaths, one critically ill patient and several suspected infections.

U.S., British, Dutch, South African and Spanish authorities launched contact-tracing operations across multiple continents asourceser dozens of passengers had already lesources the vessel before the outbreak was confirmed.

Canary Islands prepare isolation measures

Spanish officials said passengers would be transported under strict isolation protocols once the ship docks in Tenerife. Special medical teams and biosecurity units were deployed ahead of arrival.

The U.S. State Department said it was arranging a repatriation flight for 17 Americans onboard, while British authorities were also preparing evacuation plans for UK nationals.

Cape Verde had earlier refused permission for passengers to disembark because of public health concerns, forcing the ship to remain offshore for days before Spain agreed to receive it.

WHO says outbreak unlikely to become pandemic

Health experts stressed that hantavirus is far less contagious than Covid-19 and usually spreads through exposure to rodent urine, saliva or droppings rather than casual human contact.

The Andes strain involved in the outbreak is the only known hantavirus capable of person-to-person transmission, though experts say such spread is rare and generally requires prolonged close contact.

WHO officials said investigations are continuing into whether the original infections occurred before passengers boarded the ship in Argentina or during excursions in remote South Atlantic regions.