Hantavirus Outbreak: Evacuation Begins for MV Hondius Passengers in Canary Islands

The complex repatriation of passengers from the MV Hondius began this Sunday in Spain’s Canary Islands following a deadly hantavirus outbreak.

The Dutch-flagged vessel, which departed from Argentina in April, has been the center of international concern after confirming cases of the rare Andes virus—the only hantavirus strain known to spread through human-to-human transmission.

Key Details of the Repatriation Operation

The evacuation involves strict health protocols to prevent local transmission in Tenerife. Key highlights of the operation include:

Fatalities: Three passengers (two Dutch citizens and one German) have died from the virus.

Evacuation Process: Passengers wearing protective medical suits are being transported via military buses to Tenerife South Airport.

Global Cooperation: Specialized flights are repatriating citizens to Spain, Canada, the US, the UK, and several European and Middle Eastern nations.

Quarantine Measures: Spanish evacuees will undergo mandatory quarantine at a military hospital in Madrid, while other nations follow similar biosafety protocols.

Understanding the Outbreak

While hantavirus is typically spread by rodents, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that the transmission on the MV Hondius likely occurred between humans.

Although the ship originated in Ushuaia, Argentina—where the virus is endemic—local Argentine officials have questioned the exact site of the initial infection due to the virus’s long incubation period.

“The operation is going very well,” stated WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, praising the “technical and scientific rigor” of the Spanish authorities.

Current Status and Next Steps

Regional authorities in the Canary Islands have mandated that the evacuation be completed by Monday due to approaching adverse weather.

Currently, all remaining passengers are reported to be asymptomatic, and the WHO has confirmed six positive cases out of eight suspected ones.

Health agencies worldwide continue to track previously disembarked passengers to contain any further spread of the infection.