live Spain confirms positive hantavirus case; U.S. flies in MV Hondius cruise passengers for quarantine

Spain confirms positive hantavirus case; U.S. flies in MV Hondius cruise passengers for quarantine
Passengers evacuated from the cruise ship MV Hondius, which was affected by a hantavirus outbreak, disembark after landing at the Eindhoven Air Base, Netherlands, 12 May, 2026
Reuters

The hantavirus-hit MV Hondius has departed Tenerife bound for the Netherlands after the final six passengers and some crew left the ship. In Spain, one passenger in Madrid has tested positive, while 13 others in quarantine tested negative, the Health Ministry said.

⦿ 04:20 GMT | UPDATE

Spain confirms positive hantavirus case

Reuters

Spain’s Health Ministry said on Monday that one Spaniard quarantining in Madrid after being evacuated from the cruise ship MV Hondius in Tenerife has tested positive for hantavirus.

The ministry said the patient showed no symptoms and was in good condition, adding that additional tests were underway and a definitive result would be confirmed in the coming hours.

Thirteen other Spaniards quarantining at the same military hospital tested negative for the virus, according to an official statement.

The MV Hondius has been linked to an outbreak of the Andes strain of hantavirus, prompting coordinated evacuations and quarantine measures across multiple countries.

⦿ 04:10 GMT | UPDATE

U.S. flies in 18 cruise ship passengers for quarantine after hantavirus outbreak

Reuters

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services officials said on Monday (11 May) that 18 passengers from the hantavirus-hit MV Hondius have been flown back to the United States and placed under quarantine, with one positive case isolated in a Nebraska biocontainment unit.

Officials said 16 passengers are being monitored at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and two in Atlanta, including one symptomatic patient treated at Emory University’s specialised isolation unit.

The group was aboard the luxury expedition cruise ship linked to an outbreak of the Andes strain of hantavirus, the only known variant capable of limited person-to-person transmission.

The World Health Organization said on Monday that seven cases have now been confirmed among passengers from the ship.

Officials said the Atlanta patients include a couple, one of whom is symptomatic, while the other is being monitored. Nebraska officials said the isolated patient there is “doing well” and remains symptom-free.

Officials' comments

Health authorities stressed the risk to the general public remains very low.

Admiral Brian Christine, assistant secretary for health, said the virus “does not spread easily” and typically requires prolonged close contact with a symptomatic person.

President Donald Trump, asked about the U.S. response, said, “I think (it was) fine,” and added, “No, I’m glad,” when asked about withdrawing from the WHO.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr said U.S. authorities had been coordinating since early in the outbreak and had prepared aircraft and specialist teams in Tenerife.

The quarantined group includes 17 U.S. citizens and one British dual national, with monitoring expected to continue for up to 42 days.

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