Passengers and crew from the MV Hondius cruise ship began disembarking in Tenerife, Spain, on May 10, 2026, following a hantavirus outbreak [1].
This evacuation is critical to prevent the further spread of the virus and to protect the health of the passengers, crew, first responders, and the local community in Spain.
World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus oversaw the operation and provided updates on the disembarkation process. He said that coordination remains key to keeping the involved parties healthy and safe. While the situation required a controlled evacuation, Tedros said, "The current public health risk from hantavirus remains low."
Despite the evacuation, no passengers showed symptoms upon their arrival in Tenerife [5]. However, health officials are monitoring several individuals who were on board. In the U.S., nine residents are being monitored across six states [2, 3], though none have shown signs of illness. Additionally, three British nationals are suspected of having hantavirus infections linked to the ship [4].
Tedros said the WHO is working closely with experts in all involved countries to manage the response. The operation focuses on isolating potential cases and ensuring that monitoring protocols are followed across international borders to prevent a wider outbreak.
The MV Hondius was expected to arrive in Tenerife on Sunday, May 10, 2026, to facilitate the safe transfer of all persons on board [1].
“"The current public health risk from hantavirus remains low."”
The coordinated effort between the WHO and multiple national health agencies highlights the complexities of managing zoonotic disease outbreaks in the cruise industry. By implementing strict disembarkation protocols and cross-border monitoring for passengers in the US and UK, health officials aim to contain the hantavirus before it can establish a community presence outside the ship's environment.
