A cruise ship at the center of a deadly Hantavirus outbreak is preparing to sail to the Canary Islands after Spanish authorities agreed to receive passengers and provide medical support.
The Dutch-flagged MV Hondius, which has been stranded near Cape Verde, will head to Spain once urgent medical evacuations are completed. Officials said the vessel is expected to arrive within three to four days, though the exact port—potentially Gran Canaria or Tenerife—has yet to be confirmed.
Spain’s health ministry stated that critically ill individuals, including the ship’s doctor, would be airlifted for treatment, as Cape Verde lacks the capacity to carry out such evacuations. Authorities emphasized that Spain has both a moral and legal obligation to assist, particularly as several passengers are Spanish nationals.
At least three passengers have died since the ship departed from Ushuaia about a month ago. According to the World Health Organization, seven cases of hantavirus—two confirmed and five suspected—have been identified onboard. One confirmed case involved a Dutch passenger who died, while another patient, a British national, was evacuated earlier to Johannesburg for treatment.
Health officials say hantavirus is typically transmitted through contact with infected rodents, but close-contact transmission between individuals aboard the ship cannot be ruled out. However, the World Health Organization stressed that the risk to the wider public remains low.
Upon arrival in the Canary Islands, all passengers and crew will undergo medical screening and treatment in controlled environments designed to prevent any contact with the local population. Specialized transport and isolation protocols will also be used to ensure safety for both residents and healthcare workers.
The ship’s operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, confirmed that approximately 149 passengers and crew from 23 countries remain onboard under strict precautionary measures as authorities work to contain the outbreak and coordinate their safe return home.
