Passengers and crew members aboard the hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius have begun evacuating from the vessel after it anchored near Tenerife in the Canary Islands under strict international public health protocols.
The evacuation process started on Sunday following confirmation by the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 4 that cases of the Andes strain of hantavirus had been detected on board the ship. The outbreak has reportedly resulted in three deaths so far.
Spanish authorities, WHO officials, and multiple international health agencies are currently coordinating efforts to safely disembark passengers and crew while minimising any risk to the local population.
International evacuation operation underway
The MV Hondius, carrying around 150 passengers and crew members, anchored near Tenerife as authorities initiated a carefully monitored evacuation process.
Government-operated aircraft carrying Spanish and French nationals landed in Madrid and Paris respectively on Sunday afternoon. According to officials, evacuated passengers were directly transported to hospitals or quarantine facilities upon arrival.
The evacuation effort involves passengers from more than 20 countries and is expected to continue until Monday.
Health authorities stated that passengers and crew leaving the ship are undergoing symptom screening before departure. Officials also confirmed that evacuees are not being allowed to interact with local residents during transit operations.
Authorities said passengers would only be removed from the ship once dedicated evacuation flights were ready.
Positive cases detected among evacuees
United States health officials confirmed that one of the 17 American passengers evacuated from the ship tested positive for hantavirus. However, the individual is reportedly asymptomatic.
French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist also confirmed that one of the five French passengers repatriated from the vessel tested positive after developing symptoms on Sunday night.
The infected passenger has been placed in isolation in Paris. The remaining four French passengers initially tested negative but are expected to undergo further testing as a precautionary measure.
WHO recommends strict monitoring
WHO officials have advised all passengers and crew members to remain under active medical observation after returning to their respective countries.
Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Management at WHO, said authorities recommend daily health monitoring and follow-up checks for symptoms.
“In their home country, WHO recommends active follow-ups, which means daily monitoring, health checks, and regular follow-up for any symptoms,” she stated.
Dr Van Kerkhove further noted that WHO recommends a 42-day quarantine period either at home or in designated facilities due to the long incubation period associated with the Andes strain of hantavirus.
According to WHO, the virus can incubate for up to six weeks before symptoms appear.
Indian crew members healthy
Two Indian nationals were reportedly among the crew members aboard the cruise ship.
The Embassy of India in Madrid confirmed that both individuals are currently healthy and asymptomatic.
Meanwhile, Indian health authorities are closely monitoring the international situation and have initiated precautionary measures to prevent any possible spread of the virus into the country.
India activates precautionary surveillance
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has reportedly activated its “Viral Shield” network consisting of 165 specialised laboratories to strengthen surveillance and testing preparedness.
The Union Health Ministry is coordinating with:
- National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)
- Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- Other international health agencies
Officials said surveillance systems at airports and health monitoring mechanisms remain active as a precautionary measure.
WHO says risk to public remains low
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed that the current situation should not be compared to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This disease is not COVID and we have said it many times at WHO. The risk to the local population is low because of the very nature of the disease itself,” he said.
Health experts note that hantavirus infections are relatively rare and transmission characteristics differ significantly from highly contagious respiratory viruses.
What is hantavirus?
Hantavirus is a group of viruses primarily spread through rodents and rodent droppings. Certain strains, including the Andes virus found in South America, can in rare cases spread between humans.
Symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Muscle pain
- Fatigue
- Breathing difficulties
- Headaches
Severe infections can lead to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which can become life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Authorities across affected countries continue to monitor the health condition of evacuated passengers and crew members while investigations into the outbreak remain ongoing.