Spain begins evacuation of hantavirus-hit cruise ship off Tenerife

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Spain has begun the evacuation process of passengers from the hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius anchored off Tenerife on Sunday, with health officials boarding the vessel to conduct final checks before disembarkation, according to Spain's Health Ministry.

The cruise ship MV Hondius arrives at the Port of Granadilla de Abona after being affected by a hantavirus outbreak, in Tenerife, Spain, May 10, 2026. /VCG

The cruise ship arrived off the Port of Granadilla early Sunday, following a deadly hantavirus outbreak onboard. Spanish nationals are set to be the first to disembark in groups of five on small boats before being transferred by bus to the local airport.

According to an updated outbreak report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 8, the agency was notified on May 2 of a cluster of severe respiratory illness cases aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, according to the operator. As of May 8, a total of eight cases had been reported, including three deaths.

Hantavirus is a rare but potentially fatal virus typically spread through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, and can cause severe respiratory illness in humans.

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