health
May 6, 2026
Three evacuated from hantavirus-hit ship as Spain says vessel can dock
Ship’s doctor, a Briton, among those evacuated from MV Hondius, which is now heading for Canary Islands
TL;DR
- Three people, including a British doctor, were evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship due to suspected hantavirus.
- The ship had eight cases, five confirmed, and two passengers had previously died.
- Spanish authorities permitted the ship to dock in the Canary Islands after it was delayed in Cape Verde.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) is coordinating medical follow-up and evacuation efforts.
- The overall public health risk is considered low, with human-to-human transmission being rare.
- Two individuals who returned to the UK have been advised to self-isolate.
- A former passenger tested positive in Switzerland, but authorities stated there was no public risk.
- The cruise trip began in March in South America, with potential exposure to rodents cited as a possible cause.