Evacuation of hantavirus-hit vessel begins in Canary Islands

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.