All passengers aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship linked to a deadly hantavirus outbreak have been classified as high-risk contacts, European health authorities said ahead of the vessel’s arrival off Tenerife, Spain, on Sunday.
The outbreak has infected eight people, including three fatalities — a Dutch couple and a German national — according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Six infections have been confirmed, while two remain suspected cases.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said asymptomatic passengers will be repatriated via specially arranged transport instead of commercial flights, with countries preparing evacuation operations from the vessel on Sunday morning.
Symptomatic passengers are expected to undergo immediate medical assessment and testing upon arrival. Depending on their condition, they may either remain isolated in Tenerife or be medically evacuated home.
Hantavirus is typically transmitted through rodents, although rare human-to-human transmission cases have been recorded. Health authorities said the risk of wider transmission remains low.
