Hantavirus Cruise Ship Evacuation Underway

The first plane carrying passengers evacuated from the hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius departed from Tenerife, Spain, on Sunday, May 10, 2026. Spanish nationals were the first to disembark and were en route to Madrid for quarantine at a military hospital. No passengers or crew on board the ship are currently exhibiting symptoms of the virus.

Passengers and some crew members of other nationalities were also scheduled for evacuation throughout Sunday and Monday. Those disembarking and port personnel were equipped with protective gear, including hazmat suits. The ship had arrived from Cape Verde on Sunday morning.

Tristan da Cunha, a remote British territory, is also experiencing hantavirus concerns. British Army medics were deployed to the island after a resident, a former passenger on the MV Hondius, developed suspected symptoms. This situation highlights the potential spread and containment efforts related to the virus.

Other nationalities, including Dutch, French, and Australian, are arranging repatriation flights for their citizens. These passengers will undergo varying quarantine periods and medical monitoring upon arrival in their home countries. The ship itself will eventually sail to Rotterdam for disinfection.