Hantavirus Horror on Luxury Cruise Ship: 3 Dead as WHO Chief Rushes to Tenerife for Emergency Evacuation

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Spanish authorities have launched a dramatic emergency evacuation of passengers and crew aboard the luxury expedition cruise ship MV Hondius after three people died in a rare hantavirus outbreak that has triggered international concern.

The Dutch-flagged vessel arrived off the coast of Tenerife early Sunday, where health officials began a tightly controlled disembarkation under strict biosecurity protocols. The operation is being overseen by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who traveled to the Canary Islands to coordinate the response and reassure the public.

Passengers are being transferred ashore in small groups by teams wearing full protective equipment. Many of those onboard were also seen wearing masks and coveralls as they boarded waiting buses for transport to secure facilities and airports.

Spanish nationals were among the first to be evacuated and flown to Madrid. Governments including Germany, France, the Netherlands and the United States are arranging special repatriation flights for their citizens.

Officials described the operation as unprecedented and said they aim to complete the evacuation within 24 to 48 hours before deteriorating weather conditions make the task more difficult. To prevent any possible exposure to residents and tourists, the ship will remain offshore rather than docking at the island’s commercial port.

Health authorities stressed that the threat to the wider public remains low. Dr. Tedros said the situation is “not another COVID,” noting that current containment measures are designed to prevent community transmission. According to joint statements from Spanish health officials, the WHO and the vessel’s operator, no passengers currently onboard are showing active symptoms.

Investigators believe the outbreak began after passengers took part in a shore excursion to a landfill site near Ushuaia. The suspected strain is the Andes variant of hantavirus, one of the few known strains capable of limited person-to-person transmission.

Hantavirus infection often starts with flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue and muscle pain, but can rapidly progress to severe respiratory distress and become fatal.

The incident has placed the global cruise industry under renewed scrutiny, raising concerns about health screening, shore excursion safety and preparedness for rare infectious diseases.

The MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, carries passengers and crew from more than 20 countries, making the evacuation one of the most complex maritime health operations in recent years.

Authorities continue to monitor all passengers and conduct contact tracing as the large-scale evacuation unfolds. More details are expected as investigators work to establish the full timeline of the outbreak and identify the victims.