Several countries are now being linked to the suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship as evacuated passengers return home under strict health monitoring protocols.
Passengers began leaving the vessel on Sunday, flying out of Tenerife on military and government-chartered aircraft. The evacuation was carried out under tight safety measures, with crew members wearing full protective suits and respirators while escorting travelers ashore. Many passengers were also seen in protective gear.
The operation involves travelers from more than 20 countries and is expected to continue over several days. Spanish passengers were flown to Madrid, while French nationals arrived in Paris, where medical teams were waiting to assess them. An American passenger has also reportedly tested positive for hantavirus.
Hantavirus is generally spread through contact with rodents or their urine, saliva, droppings, or contaminated dust particles. According to the World Health Organization, hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome carries a fatality rate of around 20% to 40%, making it a serious public health concern.
WHO epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove said the outbreak should be taken seriously but stressed that it is not comparable to Covid-19. She noted that infections are rare, though severe, and emphasized the importance of accurate public information to avoid unnecessary panic.
Investigators believe a Dutch couple may have contracted the virus while visiting a rodent-infested landfill in Ushuaia before boarding the ship. Authorities suspect the infection was then unknowingly brought onboard.
Countries potentially linked to the outbreak include Argentina, Cape Verde, the Netherlands, the UK, the US, Denmark, Germany, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, and France.
Global health researcher Dr. Alexandra Wharton-Smith said a limited rise in cases could occur in the coming weeks, with exposed individuals requiring monitoring throughout the virus’s incubation period. However, she added that previous hantavirus outbreaks have generally remained small and that more will be understood through ongoing contact tracing and investigation.
She advised the public to stay informed through reliable sources while continuing daily life as normal.