Hanta Virus crisis on tenerife cruise ship

Spain to continue evacuating cruise passengers after Hanta virus cases off Tenerife

Spanish Health Minister Monica García announced Sunday that the disembarkation of passengers from the cruise ship MV Hondus anchored near Tenerife after several Hanta virus cases and deaths will continue into Monday afternoon. She said Spaniards will be evacuated first, adding that the last voyage is scheduled to depart Monday bound for Australia.

Health officials boarded the ship shortly after it arrived at 7:30 a.m. local time and are now conducting medical checks on about 100 passengers and crew members. García stressed that none show symptoms so far and that, following this medical assessment, evacuations will begin in small groups by boat to the mainland, then by air back to their home countries.

The World Health Organization has confirmed six Hanta virus cases out of eight suspected ones, including three deaths. The rare virus can cause severe respiratory illness but WHO has clarified it is not comparable to the pandemic‑scale threat of COVID‑19.