Hantavirus Ship Docks in Tenerife: Quarantine Plan Moves Ahead as Spain Manages Outbreak

MV Hondius Bound for Tenerife

The cruise ship MV Hondius — at the centre of a deadly hantavirus outbreak — is scheduled to dock at the Port of Granadilla de Abona in the south of Tenerife. The vessel, which has approximately 150 people on board, travelled from Argentina and was anchored off Cape Verde before the planned docking. The World Health Organisation confirmed that Spain is the nearest suitable port to manage the situation.

14 Spanish Nationals to Military Hospital in Madrid

Spanish authorities have confirmed that 14 Spanish nationals on board will be transferred to the Gómez Ulla Military Hospital complex in Madrid following the ship's arrival. Asymptomatic individuals are being kept separate from those with active symptoms as part of the quarantine protocol.

Spain's Health Minister Mónica García and the head of Spain's Health Emergencies Centre Fernando Simón have both been involved in coordinating the response. Simón has stated that the virus "does not pose a high risk" and that it "will not be a risk to Spain at all."

Three Dead, Six Ill, British Nationals Among Those Affected

The outbreak has resulted in three confirmed deaths on board. At least six people are suffering from respiratory illness linked to the virus. Among those affected are British nationals: a 56-year-old British man was evacuated and is in stable condition, while two more British passengers are self-isolating in the UK. The UK Foreign Office has described the outbreak as "very serious and deeply stressful" for those affected, while stressing that the risk to the UK population is very low.

The Andes Strain — Rare Person-to-Person Spread

The variant involved is the Andes strain of hantavirus, the only form known to spread between people — though transmission requires very close and prolonged contact. Canary Islands epidemiologist Amós García Rojas stated that "human-to-human transmission is very unlikely", and Spanish health authorities have consistently described the risk to the general public as low.

The ship operator Oceanwide Expeditions said it is working with authorities across multiple nations on passenger screening, quarantine arrangements and the final steps before arrival.

International Contact Tracing Underway

The MV Hondius carried passengers from more than 20 countries. Contact tracing operations are ongoing across multiple European nations, including France and Switzerland, where separate cases linked to former passengers have been confirmed. The outbreak is being treated as an international public health event.

This article is based on reporting from Spanish News Today, published May 7, 2026.