6 hantavirus cases confirmed as cruise passengers await disembarking

Six cases of Andes hantavirus have been confirmed aboard the cruise ship MV *Hondius*, which is set to dock near Tenerife, Spain, on May 10, with repatriation flights organized for passengers from multiple countries. The World Health Organization and Spain’s government are coordinating medical screenings and evacuations, while the CDC confirms the risk to the U.S. public remains extremely low despite issuing a health alert." "article": "The cruise ship MV *Hondius*, en route to Tenerife, Spain, will dock between 0300-0500 GMT on May 10 after six passengers tested positive for the Andes strain of hantavirus, a potentially deadly virus. Three deaths linked to the outbreak have already been reported, prompting global health agencies to coordinate a rapid response. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced plans for medical screenings upon docking, with symptomatic passengers immediately evacuated to the Netherlands for treatment. Healthy passengers will be transported via repatriation flights arranged by their home countries, including the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Belgium, Ireland, and the Netherlands. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived in Spain to oversee the disembarkation, confirming no new symptoms have emerged on board. Spain’s interior minister stated that EU and international flights will ensure all passengers are safely returned, with contingency plans for those without direct air transport. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health alert on May 8, warning clinicians about the outbreak but emphasizing the risk of domestic spread remains extremely low. The agency advised health departments and laboratories on case identification and testing protocols. Passengers from over a dozen countries, including Americans, will undergo medical checks before departure, with the WHO and local authorities ensuring a controlled and monitored process. The CDC reiterated that while the outbreak is serious, the immediate threat to the broader public is minimal.