Cruise ship stricken by hantavirus reaches Canary Islands before planned evacuations

A Dutch-flagged cruise ship that was hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak reached Spain's Canary Islands early Sunday morning, where health officials will begin the complex process of evacuating the passengers and most of the crew, and repatriating them to their respective countries. The MV Hondius, currently carrying nearly 150 people from more than 15 countries, including 17 Americans, had set sail earlier this week from Cape Verde to the port of Granadilla on Tenerife — the largest of the Canary Islands — after Spain agreed to take the ship. Video from Reuters showed the ship near the port of Granadilla. Hondius was escorted by a Spanish Civil Guard vessel, Agence France-Press journalists reported. The cruise ship MV Hondius arrives at the port of Granadilla in Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, after being affected by a hantavirus outbreak. May 10, 2026. Pedro Nunes / REUTERS The World Health Organization has said that, so far, none of those still aboard were showing symptoms. There are at least nine confirmed or suspected cases of hantavirus linked to the outbreak, including three fatalities, a Dutch couple and a German woman. Oceanwide Expeditions, the ship's operator, says that all passengers and a portion of the approximately 60 crew members will begin evacuating the ship Sunday using launch boats that carry a maximum of five to 10 people. The evacuation is being coordinated by WHO and several other health organizations. WHO Director-General Dr. …