The final passengers aboard the hantavirus-hit luxury cruise ship MV Hondius have officially disembarked, as health authorities confirmed three additional positive cases linked to the deadly outbreak.
The Dutch expedition cruise ship departed from Tenerife for the Netherlands after the remaining six passengers — including travelers from Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand — safely left the vessel under strict medical supervision. Several crew members also disembarked during the operation.
The outbreak has already resulted in the deaths of three passengers, including a Dutch couple and a German national. Two of the deaths were officially confirmed to be linked to hantavirus infections.
Health officials have now identified additional positive cases among evacuated passengers. A French passenger tested positive after returning home and is reportedly in serious condition, while an American traveler also tested positive for the Andes strain of hantavirus. Another American passenger has shown mild symptoms and remains under observation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that at least seven confirmed cases of the Andes strain have now been detected. The Andes strain is considered particularly concerning because it is one of the rare hantavirus variants capable of limited human-to-human transmission through prolonged close contact.
Passengers from more than 20 countries have been repatriated through coordinated international evacuation efforts involving military aircraft, government flights, and quarantine arrangements. Medical teams wearing full protective gear supervised the evacuation process at Tenerife’s port.
Despite growing concern, global health authorities continue to maintain that the overall public health risk remains low. Experts have emphasized that hantavirus does not spread as easily as viruses like COVID-19 and usually requires close, prolonged exposure.
