Cruise Ship mv Hondius Arrives in Tenerife Amid Hantavirus Concerns

On Sunday morning, just before 0600, the cruise ship mv Hondius was located off the Costa del Silencio, Tenerife. The vessel, moving slowly at approximately six knots, is expected to arrive at the port of Granadilla by 0630 Swedish time. Following this, the first passengers will begin to disembark, according to reports from El Pais. However, the disembarkation occurs under a cloud of health concerns, as six passengers have been confirmed infected with hantavirus, leading to the tragic deaths of three individuals. While some passengers have already left the ship, around 150 people—comprising both passengers and crew members from over 20 countries—remain on board. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a statement indicating that there are currently no signs of symptoms among the remaining individuals aboard the ship, and the assessed risk to others is considered low. WHO Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized this point on social media platform X, highlighting that the risk to the population in the Canary Islands and globally is also low. In response to the health crisis, images from Tenerife depict a significant operational response, with numerous ambulances and hospital tents set up at the port on Sunday morning. Among those on site are Spain’s Minister of Health, Javier Padilla, and the Minister for Civil Defense and Crisis Situations, Virginia Barcones. Preparations at the port aim to facilitate the disembarkation process for the affected passengers. As part of the disembarkation plan, passengers will be transported ashore using smaller boats and will undergo health examinations before continuing their journeys. Some passengers have already been advised to isolate for 42 days since first coming into contact with the virus, although a portion of that time has already elapsed during their stay aboard the cruise. The WHO has reaffirmed that while hantavirus infection is a serious concern, the likelihood of transmission is low, describing the situation as decidedly not a new pandemic threat. 'I need you to hear me clearly and distinctly; this is not new COVID,' stated Ghebreyesus in a declaration, reiterating that the current health risk to the public remains low and unequivocal. As the situation unfolds, health officials and authorities in Tenerife continue to monitor the affected passengers and ensure protocols are followed to protect public health. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2