Spain evacuates 90+ from hantavirus cruise ship MV Hondius in Tenerife
Synopsis
A cruise ship carrying passengers from at least 14 countries became the centre of an international public health response after a hantavirus outbreak was confirmed aboard the MV Hondius. Spain mobilised a multi-flight evacuation from Tenerife, with over 90 people expected to be repatriated by Sunday evening — a rare instance of a hantavirus emergency at sea.
Key Takeaways
Spain's Secretary of State for Health, Javier Padilla , confirmed the evacuation of 90+ passengers and crew from the hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius on 11 May 2025 .
By Sunday afternoon , 49 people from 14 countries had already been evacuated from Tenerife .
Nationals from Britain, Turkey, France, Ireland , and the United States were next in line for evacuation on Sunday.
A final flight for Australian nationals is scheduled for Monday ; the Netherlands plans a sweep flight for remaining individuals.
Hantaviruses are transmitted through contact with infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva — there is no specific cure, and early supportive care is critical.
Spain's Secretary of State for Health, Javier Padilla, confirmed on Sunday, 11 May that the evacuation of passengers and crew members from the hantavirus-affected cruise ship MV Hondius was proceeding as planned, with more than 90 people expected to be evacuated by end of day from Tenerife. The multi-nation operation involves nationals from at least 14 countries and marks one of the more unusual public health emergencies to unfold aboard a cruise vessel in recent years.
Evacuation Operation in Progress
By Sunday afternoon, 49 passengers and crew members from 14 different countries had already been evacuated since the operation began, according to a video released by the official X account of the Spanish Interior Ministry's General Secretariat for Civil Protection and Emergencies. Nationals from Britain, Turkey, France, Ireland, and the United States were among those scheduled for evacuation later in the day, Padilla confirmed.
Final Flights and Remaining Evacuees
The final evacuation flight is expected to depart on Monday to transport Australian nationals. The Netherlands has also announced plans to operate a so-called
Point of View
Not the controlled environment of a vessel. The fact that nationals from at least 14 countries are involved transforms what might otherwise be a localised health incident into a complex diplomatic and logistical operation. Spain's swift multi-flight evacuation response reflects lessons from post-COVID cruise ship protocols, but the absence of a specific antiviral treatment means the outcome for those already infected hinges entirely on early supportive care. The broader question — how hantavirus exposure occurred aboard a cruise ship — remains unanswered in official statements, and that gap deserves scrutiny.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MV Hondius hantavirus situation?
The MV Hondius is a cruise ship that experienced a hantavirus outbreak, prompting Spain to organise a large-scale evacuation of passengers and crew from Tenerife. More than 90 people from at least 14 countries were expected to be evacuated by the end of Sunday, 11 May 2025.
What is hantavirus and how is it transmitted?
Hantaviruses are zoonotic viruses that naturally infect rodents and are occasionally transmitted to humans through contact with contaminated urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents. Rodent bites can also cause infection, though less commonly. There is no specific cure, and treatment focuses on early supportive medical care.
Which countries' nationals are being evacuated from MV Hondius?
Nationals from at least 14 countries are involved, including Britain, Turkey, France, Ireland, the United States, Australia, and the Netherlands, among others. Each country is arranging or receiving its own repatriation flights.
When will the MV Hondius evacuation be completed?
The bulk of evacuations were expected to be completed by Sunday evening, 11 May 2025. A final flight for Australian nationals is scheduled for Monday, and the Netherlands plans a sweep flight to collect any individuals not yet repatriated by their home countries.
What are the health risks of hantavirus infection?
In the Americas, hantavirus infection can lead to hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a rapidly progressive condition affecting the lungs and heart. In Europe and Asia, it more commonly causes haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), which affects the kidneys and blood vessels. Both conditions can be severe and potentially fatal.
