Health authorities across multiple countries are continuing to monitor passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship after new hantavirus cases were reported following the vessel’s evacuation in Tenerife.
The cruise ship anchored off Granadilla de Abona on 10 May, where a phased disembarkation process began after concerns over the outbreak onboard.
Among the first passengers evacuated were 14 Spanish citizens, who were transported under emergency protocols to Tenerife South Airport before returning to Madrid.
In total, 94 passengers representing 19 nationalities left the ship on seven repatriation flights bound for eight countries.
New Positive Cases Reported Internationally
Shortly after passengers returned home, health authorities in several countries began reporting additional positive hantavirus cases linked to the cruise ship.
The United States confirmed two positive cases among repatriated passengers.
France also reported a confirmed case after a female passenger developed symptoms during her repatriation flight from Tenerife to Paris.
According to reports, her condition deteriorated overnight and she was transferred to an intensive care unit for treatment.
Spanish authorities have also confirmed at least one positive case among the Spanish passengers currently isolated at Madrid’s Gómez Ulla General Defense Hospital.
Passengers Under Extended Monitoring
All passengers from the MV Hondius remain under international health monitoring as authorities assess whether the newly detected cases represent isolated infections or the beginning of wider secondary transmission.
The quarantine period for passengers officially began on 6 May and could remain in place for up to 42 days depending on ongoing medical evaluations.
Monitoring efforts now involve health agencies across more than 20 countries.
ECDC Defines High-Risk Exposure
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has stated that exposure within one to two metres of a confirmed or probable hantavirus case for at least 15 minutes constitutes a high-risk contact situation.
The clarification comes amid wider concern over how the virus may have spread among passengers during the voyage.
WHO Raises Confirmed Case Count
The Director-General of the World Health Organization has reportedly raised the number of confirmed hantavirus cases linked to the incident to 11.
According to health officials, all suspected and confirmed cases are currently isolated and receiving strict medical supervision.
The situation remains under close international observation as authorities continue contact tracing and assess the risk of further transmission linked to the cruise ship outbreak.
