Tenerife: Health officials in the United States and France have confirmed new hantavirus cases linked to the outbreak aboard the MV Hondius, raising concerns among international health authorities.
The US Department of Health and Human Services said an American national who returned from the ship tested positive for the virus, while another passenger showed mild symptoms during repatriation. French authorities also confirmed that a French passenger tested positive after returning to Paris. Officials said the woman was in isolation and her condition had reportedly worsened, while dozens of contacts were being traced.
The outbreak has already resulted in three deaths involving passengers from the Netherlands and Germany. Two of the fatalities were confirmed hantavirus cases linked to the cruise. More than 90 passengers from the vessel are now being repatriated to several countries as governments continue emergency response measures and health monitoring operations.
WHO Technical note for the disembarkation and onward management of passengers and crew in the context of an Andes virus-associated cluster MV Hondius cruise ship. Read here: https://t.co/YB7jgI3t1x
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Management of contacts of Andes virus (ANDV) cases from the MV Hondius cruise…— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 10, 2026
The cruise ship is currently docked in Tenerife after the outbreak triggered international concern. Several countries have organised special evacuation flights for citizens onboard. According to the World Health Organization, the virus is believed to involve the Andes strain of hantavirus, which can potentially spread between humans, although experts say the overall risk of a large outbreak remains low.
Symptoms of hantavirus can include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting, breathing difficulties and stomach problems. Severe cases can become life-threatening. Authorities in multiple countries have introduced quarantine measures for passengers returning from the cruise. Some travellers have been placed under medical observation in hospitals and isolation facilities.
Officials in the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands and Australia are also monitoring passengers and crew members who recently left the vessel. The outbreak has prompted renewed discussions about international health protocols for cruise ships and the management of infectious disease risks during international travel.
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