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Spain Confirms Hantavirus Case Linked to MV Hondius as Evacuations Continue

WHO says the risk of a wider outbreak remains low.

Overview

  • Spain's health ministry confirmed infection in a passenger from the MV Hondius and said the patient is stable after earlier concerns.
  • Spanish authorities isolated early disembarked passengers in a military hospital where tests returned 13 negative results, and a U.S. traveler also tested negative.
  • A second Dutch evacuation flight carrying mostly Hondius crew landed in Eindhoven early Tuesday, and officials ordered medical checks and six weeks of home quarantine for everyone on board.
  • Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen placed 12 staff in preventive six‑week quarantine after they handled a Hondius patient under protocols that have since been tightened.
  • WHO warned more cases could emerge because the Andes strain has a long incubation period and usually requires long, close contact to spread, which is why France now allows up to 42 days of isolation.