Update: Hantavirus-stricken cruise ship en route to Canary Islands

Hondius, a Dutch expedition cruise vessel currently at the centre of a deadly hantavirus outbreak, is heading to the Canary Islands following international medical intervention.

The ship’s operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, confirmed that the vessel is expected to arrive at the port of Granadilla, Tenerife, in the early hours of Sunday, 10 May.

“No symptomatic individuals are present on board,” the company stated in an update.

The 2019-built vessel is navigating under strict medical supervision from the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Passengers have reportedly been isolated in their cabins for the duration of the transit to mitigate any further risk of infection.

The outbreak involves the Andes virus, a hantavirus strain described by the WHO as the only species capable of limited human-to-human transmission. To date, eight cases have been reported, resulting in three fatalities. The 6,300-gt vessel was midway through a multi-week expedition from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Spain when the virus was detected.

As Riviera reported on 6 May (see story below), Spanish authorities agreed to allow Hondius to dock in the Canary Islands following requests from WHO and the European Union. However, the move has sparked a diplomatic row with Canary Islands’ regional government. Local officials have insisted that passengers only disembark from an anchored position rather than allowing the ship to dock.

Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo has voiced firm opposition to the docking plan. "Cooperation can only happen with proper information, rigour, and respect for the Canary Islands," Mr Clavijo said. 

“The ship will not dock under any circumstances and will remain at anchor until the passengers are evacuated, fulfilling all security guarantees for both residents and those on board."

He told local media that the operation could have been conducted in Cape Verde with "the same level of safety," but emphasised that "maximum security" must now be guaranteed.

On 7 May, Health Minister Mónica García and Territorial Policy Minister Ángel Víctor Torres met with Mr Clavijo to finalise disembarkation protocols. These follow the evacuation earlier this week of three individuals, who were transferred to the Netherlands for specialist care.

Concluding a recent briefing, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the outbreak as a "serious incident" but maintained that the broader public health risk remains low. 

Dr Tedros warned that further cases could emerge due to the virus’s potential multi-week-long incubation period, adding: "Our priorities are to ensure the affected patients receive care, that the remaining passengers are kept safe and treated with dignity, and to prevent any further spread."

So far, eight cases of #hantavirus have been reported, including three deaths.

While this is a serious incident, @WHO assesses the public health risk as low.

WHO will continue to work with all relevant governments and partners to provide care for those who are affected, protect… pic.twitter.com/NEBHXrqurT

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros)

So far, eight cases of #hantavirus have been reported, including three deaths.

While this is a serious incident, @WHO assesses the public health risk as low.

WHO will continue to work with all relevant governments and partners to provide care for those who are affected, protect… pic.twitter.com/NEBHXrqurT

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) May 7, 2026