MV Hondius Cruise Ship Leaves Cape Verde After Three Medical Evacuations

The MV Hondius, a Dutch cruise ship carrying 146 people, has commenced a three-day voyage to the Canary Islands after three individuals were medically evacuated to the Netherlands. A 56-year-old British man, a 41-year-old Dutch crew member, and a 65-year-old German national were sent for treatment. Although none of the evacuees have tested positive for hantavirus, two are exhibiting symptoms.

Since setting sail from Argentina a month ago, three people who were aboard the ship have died. Officials have confirmed one death due to hantavirus, with the other two fatalities currently under investigation. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported eight hantavirus cases – three confirmed and five suspected – among those on the vessel. Experts believe the Andes strain, prevalent in Latin America, has been identified in two confirmed patients, raising concerns about human-to-human transmission, which has been observed in previous outbreaks of this strain.

The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed that two British individuals are self-isolating in the UK after potential exposure, having left the ship earlier without symptoms. Oceanwide Expeditions, the ship's operator, stated that the German evacuee was “closely associated” with a German woman who died onboard on 2 May. Her body remains on the ship.

Spanish authorities approved the vessel's journey to the Canary Islands, a decision met with strong opposition from the regional president, Fernando Clavijo. He expressed concerns about the lack of technical criteria and sufficient information, stating, “I cannot allow [the boat] to enter the Canaries.” Upon arrival in Tenerife, all passengers will undergo medical assessment, with foreign nationals repatriated if fit to travel, whilst Spanish citizens will quarantine in a Madrid defence hospital.