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16h ago

Andes Hantavirus Confirmed on MV Hondius

Spanish authorities plan to bring the vessel to the Canary Islands following Cape Verde’s refusal to dock it.

Health personnel returning from the cruise ship MV Hondius, are seen at the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, as individuals wearing hazmat suits are helped into an ambulance on May 6, 2026. Evacuations were taking place on May 6, 2026 from a cruise ship stricken with a deadly outbreak of hantavirus, the World Health Organization said, as experts confirmed a rare strain that can be transmitted between humans.Three people, two crew members and one other person, thought to be infected with the virus were being taken off the MV Hondius, anchored off Cape Verde, the WHO said. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images) Three people, two crew members and one other person, thought to be infected with the virus were being taken off the MV Hondius, anchored off Cape Verde, the WHO said. (Photo by AFP)
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Overview

  • WHO, which confirmed Wednesday the outbreak is the Andes strain, reports eight linked cases and three deaths tied to the Dutch‑flagged cruise ship.
  • After Cape Verde blocked entry, Spain said it will receive the ship in the Canary Islands, a move opposed by the region’s leader who questioned consultation and readiness.
  • Medical evacuations are under way, with a Briton, a Dutch crew member and another passenger flown to the Netherlands for treatment and a Swiss traveler treated in Zurich.
  • Passengers still onboard are isolating in cabins as authorities prepare screening and cleaning plans, while health agencies stress the overall public risk remains low.
  • Investigators are probing exposure during the ship’s Argentina leg, including a reported landfill visit, as Argentina logs a rise in hantavirus cases since June 2025.