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Cruise Ship Virus Scare: Aussies Evacuated
11 May
Summary
- Australia will charter a flight to evacuate citizens from a virus-hit ship.
- Three deaths confirmed, linked to hantavirus on the MV Hondius.
- Returning passengers will undergo mandatory quarantine upon arrival.
Australia has announced it will charter a flight to evacuate its citizens from the MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged luxury cruise ship linked to a deadly hantavirus outbreak. The government confirmed that returning passengers are expected to undergo mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Australia.
As of Monday, May 11, 2026, eight individuals no longer on the ship had fallen ill, with six confirmed cases of the virus. Tragically, three people, a Dutch couple and a German national, have died. Four Australians, one resident of Tenerife, and one resident of New Zealand are among those set for repatriation.
This evacuation follows similar efforts by Spain, France, and the United States to bring their citizens home from the vessel, which is currently anchored near Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The World Health Organization has recommended a 42-day quarantine for all passengers, emphasizing that the virus is far less contagious than COVID-19.
