More than 100 people have been evacuated from the MV Hondius, a cruise ship moored off the coast of Tenerife, after a deadly hantavirus outbreak. The complex repatriation operation continued on Monday as two evacuees tested positive for the virus.
Positive Cases Confirmed
A French woman and an American national evacuated from the ship have tested positive for hantavirus. The French woman, one of five French passengers who disembarked in Tenerife on Sunday, was flown to a hospital in Paris in serious condition. French health minister Stéphanie Rist confirmed that the woman's symptoms worsened overnight, and she is now being treated in a specialized infectious diseases unit.
An American passenger flown to Nebraska along with 16 others also tested positive for the Andes strain, the only hantavirus strain transmissible between humans. The US health department reported that this passenger is asymptomatic, while another American has mild symptoms.
Evacuation Effort
Personnel in full-body protective gear began escorting travelers from the ship to shore in Tenerife on Sunday. More than 100 people of 23 nationalities are being evacuated in less than 48 hours. Spanish authorities described the operation as "complex" and "unprecedented". Spain's health ministry stated that all possible measures were adopted to cut transmission chains, including health checks and temperature screenings upon arrival.
Three passengers from the MV Hondius—a Dutch couple and a German woman—have died from the rare disease, which typically spreads among rodents. The ship departed from Argentina in April, where hantavirus is endemic. No vaccines or specific treatments exist for the virus.
International Response
Health officials emphasize that the global public health risk is low and caution against comparisons with the COVID-19 pandemic. French authorities identified 22 French nationals who may have come into contact with the virus, including eight on a flight from Saint Helena to Johannesburg and 14 on a flight from Johannesburg to Amsterdam. The Dutch woman who died was on the Johannesburg flight and briefly boarded an Amsterdam flight but disembarked before takeoff.
French prime minister Sébastien Lecornu held a meeting of medical advisers on Monday to follow the issue. Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon urged against panic, stating that a 42-day isolation period has been decided.
Ongoing Evacuations
On Sunday, 94 people of 19 nationalities were evacuated, according to Spanish health minister Mónica García. Of the 54 remaining aboard—22 passengers and 32 crew—28 will disembark and evacuate on a Dutch flight to the Netherlands. The MV Hondius will then depart for the Netherlands with the 26 crew members. García noted that a second plane for Australian passengers was canceled due to timing issues, and all remaining passengers will now be evacuated on the Netherlands flight.
The ship's captain, Jan Dobrogowski, praised the crew and passengers for their patience, discipline, and kindness during the challenging weeks. The World Health Organization recommends a 42-day quarantine and active follow-up, including daily symptom checks, according to Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO lead for epidemic preparedness.
