Tenerife – Passengers aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship began disembarking Sunday morning in Tenerife after health officials responded to concerns surrounding a hantavirus outbreak linked to the vessel. Authorities said the process was being carried out under strict public health supervision as travelers prepared to return to their home countries.
Spanish health officials confirmed that passengers were undergoing medical screenings before boarding charter flights arranged for repatriation. Despite the concerns surrounding the outbreak, authorities reported that all passengers remaining on the ship were asymptomatic at the time disembarkation operations began.
Spain’s health ministry stated that the evacuation and health assessment procedures were progressing smoothly, with medical teams continuing to monitor passengers closely. Public health experts and international organizations were coordinating efforts to reduce any potential health risks and ensure travelers could safely return home.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced on social media that the first group of passengers had started leaving the vessel. He said teams on the ground were working alongside Spain’s Health Ministry to carry out epidemiological evaluations and coordinate transportation logistics with the Interior Ministry.
The MV Hondius became the focus of international attention after concerns emerged about possible exposure to hantavirus, a disease typically transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their droppings. Health officials have not reported widespread illness among passengers, but precautionary measures were intensified to prevent any potential spread.
Authorities in Tenerife maintained heightened health protocols at the port while emergency response teams, medical personnel, and transportation officials worked together to manage the situation. Passengers were instructed to follow screening procedures and cooperate with health monitoring efforts during their return journeys.
Officials said investigations into the source of the outbreak and possible exposure routes were continuing as international health agencies monitored developments closely.
