94 Repatriated in Tenerife After Deadly Hantavirus Outbreak
An unprecedented international health operation reached its peak in the Canary Islands on Sunday as 94 people were evacuated and repatriated from a cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak. The operation, described by Spanish Health Minister Mónica García as being of “unprecedented international scale,” successfully processed passengers and crew of 19 different nationalities under strict sanitary protocols.
High-Stakes Evacuation
The Dutch-flagged vessel, the MV Hondius, docked at the port of Granadilla in Tenerife on Sunday morning after previously being held under quarantine in Cape Verde. Passengers and crew were seen wearing specialized masks and full-body sanitary protection suits as they were transported in military vehicles from the port directly to the tarmac of Tenerife South airport.
According to Minister García, the 94 individuals evacuated on Sunday were flown to their home countries on eight separate flights, including destinations in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, France, and the Netherlands. The repatriation efforts are being coordinated by Spain, the Netherlands, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the European Union, utilizing both chartered aircraft and resources from the European Civil Protection Mechanism.
Outbreak Origins and Toll
The health crisis began while the ship was traveling from Argentina across the South Atlantic, triggering an international alert last weekend. The WHO has confirmed six cases of hantavirus out of eight suspected infections linked to the voyage. Tragically, three people have died.
The specific strain detected is the Andes hantavirus. While most hantaviruses are transmitted from rodents to humans, the Andes variant is rare because it can be transmitted from person to person. Symptoms typically begin with flu-like signs—such as fever, cough, and muscle aches—but can rapidly progress to severe pulmonary or renal failure.
Final Phase of the Operation
The operation is scheduled to conclude on Monday. Two final “sweeper” flights will depart Tenerife in the afternoon, transporting the remaining passengers to Australia and the Netherlands. Following the final disembarkations, the MV Hondius will refuel and depart for Rotterdam under the command of 34 crew members who will remain on board to complete the journey.
The massive logistical undertaking has involved roughly 250 security personnel and 40 military members in Tenerife alone, supported by the Red Cross and regional health services. Officials have emphasized that the operation has been conducted with “total safety” and that no infected or symptomatic individuals remained on the ship by the time it reached the Canaries.
Image: Pexels – Erik Mclean
