Evacuation of hantavirus-hit vessel begins in Canary Islands

SOCIAL – HEALTH

11 MAY 2026

• Occupants of a cruise ship struck by a deadly hantavirus outbreak that has sparked international alarm began flying home from Spain’s Canary Islands in a complex repatriation operation.
• Three passengers from the MV Hondius have died, while others have fallen sick with the rare disease, which usually spreads among rodents.
• No vaccines or specific treatments exist for hantavirus, which is endemic in Argentina, where the ship departed in April 2026.
• The final flight to evacuate most of the ship’s nearly 150 passengers and crew will leave for Australia.