Cruise Ship Hit by Hantavirus Outbreak Arrives in Tenerife
The MV Hondius cruise ship, where hantavirus cases were detected off Cape Verde, has anchored off Tenerife under the watch of medical teams. Passengers will be evacuated in stages under World Health Organization coordination, while quarantine protocols remain active at African ports along the ship's route.
The MV Hondius cruise ship, with 12 confirmed hantavirus cases on board, has anchored off Tenerife in the Canary Islands at the end of an Atlantic crossing. Spanish health authorities have said the vessel will not dock directly; instead an evacuation will be organised at anchor, with World Health Organization teams already on site.
The ship's route had taken in Cape Verde, Senegal and Mauritania. West African countries have therefore activated new quarantine protocols for cruise tourism. Senegal's health ministry says 240 people who came into contact with the ship over the past fortnight are now being monitored. Cape Verde has temporarily suspended cruise stops at two ports.
For Europe the concern is medical and economic. The Canary Islands receive about six million cruise passengers a year, and the peak season starts in June. Industry representatives hope bookings will not be hit hard if the outbreak does not grow further, but operators are already planning extra health screening and updated insurance terms.
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