First Plane Evacuates Hantavirus-Exposed Cruise Passengers from Tenerife to Madrid

The first evacuation flight carrying Spanish nationals from the MV Hondius cruise ship, affected by a hantavirus outbreak, has departed from Tenerife’s Canary Islands for Madrid. Upon arrival, the 14 passengers will be quarantined at a military hospital. The ship remains anchored off Tenerife while authorities coordinate the repatriation of over 140 passengers and crew from more than 20 nationalities. Although no new symptoms have been reported among those on board, three deaths occurred prior to the evacuation, and five previously disembarked passengers tested positive. Health officials, including the WHO Director-General, emphasize that the general public risk remains low, noting that hantavirus typically spreads via rodent droppings rather than person-to-person contact. However, strict precautions, including hazmat suits and respirators, were employed during the evacuation. Other nations, including the US, UK, Netherlands, and France, are arranging separate flights to repatriate their citizens, who will face varying quarantine protocols. The vessel is scheduled to sail to Rotterdam for disinfection after the evacuation concludes.