health
May 6, 2026
Cruise ship affected by possible Hantavirus outbreak will be welcomed in the Canary Islands
The MV Hondius is on health alert after the World Health Organization reported suspicions that a hantavirus may have caused the deaths of three passengers.
TL;DR
- The MV Hondius is heading to the Canary Islands, arriving in 3 to 4 days.
- There are suspicions of a Hantavirus outbreak on board, with three passenger deaths reported.
- Three individuals will be evacuated from Cabo Verde before the ship reaches the Canary Islands.
- Upon arrival, all passengers and crew will be examined and attended to medically.
- Spain has agreed to a request from the Netherlands to transport the MV Hondius's doctor, who is in serious condition, to the Canary Islands.
- The shipping company states no new symptomatic cases have been identified.
- The WHO believes initial infections may have occurred off the ship, with subsequent transmission among passengers.
- The risk to the general public is considered low, and it's noted there are no rats on board.