Passengers evacuated from the hantavirus-affected cruise ship have begun returning to their home countries after the vessel, MV Hondius, anchored in Spain’s Canary Islands. The ship arrived in Tenerife, the largest island in the archipelago off the West African coast, where passengers were escorted ashore by personnel in full protective suits and breathing equipment. Spanish nationals were among the first to be disembarked and were flown to Madrid for further medical observation at a military hospital. French passengers were also evacuated shortly after, landing in Paris where emergency teams were on standby.
Evacuation flights carrying citizens from more than 20 countries were scheduled to continue through Monday as part of a coordinated international response. Reports indicate that some passengers bound for the United States were en route to Omaha, Nebraska, where they are expected to arrive under medical supervision.Health officials confirmed that one French passenger developed symptoms during the flight and was immediately placed in isolation for testing, while others remain under close monitoring. Authorities have said that those evacuated will undergo strict health checks and quarantine procedures depending on their destination countries.
So far, at least three deaths have been linked to the outbreak, while five previously disembarked passengers have tested positive for hantavirus. Despite this, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reassured the public that the overall risk remains low.WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasised that the situation is not comparable to COVID-19, stating that there is no need for panic, though precautionary measures remain in place.
Passengers and crew were seen wearing protective gear and undergoing decontamination procedures upon disembarkation at the port of Granadilla in Tenerife. Luggage restrictions were enforced, allowing travellers only essential items such as documents, phones, and chargers. Health authorities noted that disembarked individuals would be monitored for symptoms, while being restricted from interacting with the local population. The cruise ship itself is expected to proceed to Rotterdam, Netherlands, where it will undergo full disinfection.
The outbreak response has triggered a large-scale international coordination effort, with countries including the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Australia, and others implementing quarantine or hospital isolation protocols for returning citizens. Medical experts from the WHO have advised continuous monitoring for all exposed individuals, recommending daily health checks for several weeks following potential exposure.
In some countries, stricter measures have been adopted, including hospital-based quarantine and extended self-isolation periods, depending on assessed risk levels. Authorities continue to stress that hantavirus is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodent droppings, with limited evidence of human-to-human transmission in most cases, though the specific strain involved in the outbreak is being closely studied. Evacuation efforts are expected to conclude once the final flights depart Tenerife, while investigations and monitoring continue across multiple countries.
Source: https://www.wmtw.com/
