Dutch Cruise Ship with Hantavirus Outbreak Redirects to Canary Islands
A Dutch cruise ship experiencing a hantavirus outbreak is sailing to the Canary Islands, as confirmed by Spain’s health ministry. Two crew members, including the vessel's British doctor, require immediate medical attention and are scheduled for evacuation via hospital aircraft from Cape Verde. A third individual, connected to a German national who recently died, is also slated for evacuation.
Evacuation and Isolation Measures
Officials are currently identifying other passengers requiring urgent medical transfer from Cape Verde, where the MV Hondius had been docked. Three passengers aboard the ship have died since it departed Argentina approximately a month ago. Oceanwide Expeditions, the ship's operator, reported that 149 individuals from 23 countries remain on board under stringent precautionary measures. Among them are 22 British nationals, in addition to the British crew member awaiting evacuation.
The remaining passengers are expected to arrive in the Canary Islands within three to four days, though the precise port of entry remains undecided. Oceanwide Expeditions indicated plans to sail to “Gran Canaria or Tenerife.” The World Health Organisation (WHO) stated that Cape Verde lacks the capacity to manage the operation, making the Canary Islands the nearest location with the necessary facilities. Spain asserts a moral and legal obligation to assist these individuals, including several Spanish citizens.
Upon arrival, all crew and passengers will undergo medical examinations and receive necessary care. Interactions with those from the MV Hondius will occur in “special spaces and transports specifically set up for this situation” to prevent any contact with the local population and ensure the safety of healthcare personnel.
Hantavirus Cases and Transmission
Hantavirus is typically transmitted from rodents, though the WHO has suggested potential spread among “really close contacts” on board the ship, maintaining that the risk to the wider public remains low. Seven cases of hantavirus—two confirmed and five suspected—have been identified. The confirmed cases include a Dutch woman who died and a 69-year-old UK national evacuated to South Africa for treatment. The woman’s husband and a German national who died on 2 May are not confirmed cases.
