The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that a cluster of hantavirus cases linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius poses a low public‑health risk to the island of Tenerife, Spain. The vessel, which arrived at the industrial port of Granadilla on 7 May 2026, carried passengers from 23 countries, three of whom have died from the Andes strain of hantavirus. WHO Director‑General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that the risk to the local population remains minimal and that the response is being coordinated under the International Health Regulations (IHR).
The WHO briefed the media on 7 May, reporting eight confirmed cases among the ship’s occupants, including three fatalities. Five of the cases have been laboratory‑confirmed as Andes virus, the only hantavirus known to transmit between humans through close, prolonged contact. Dr Tedros described the incident as “serious” but reiterated that the organization’s assessment of the public‑health risk to Tenerife is low.
A WHO expert is currently on board the MV Hondius, conducting a comprehensive medical assessment of all passengers and crew. Medical supplies have been delivered, and 2 500 diagnostic kits have been shipped from Argentina to laboratories in five countries to expand testing capacity. The organization is also preparing detailed operational guidance for the safe disembarkation and onward travel of the ship’s occupants.
Spanish authorities have implemented a controlled disembarkation plan. Passengers will be transferred from the vessel to sealed, guarded vehicles and moved through a cordoned‑off corridor to the port of Granadilla, far from residential areas. From there, they will be repatriated directly to their home countries. No symptomatic passengers remain on board, and the public is not expected to encounter the ship’s occupants.
In a personal statement, Dr Tedros thanked Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for accepting the ship, describing the decision as an act of solidarity and moral duty. He noted that under the IHR, the nearest port with adequate medical capacity must be identified to ensure the safety and dignity of those affected. Tenerife met these criteria, offering the necessary infrastructure and medical resources.
Dr Tedros also announced his intention to travel to Tenerife to observe the operation firsthand and to acknowledge the efforts of health workers, port staff, and officials involved. “Viruses do not respect borders; solidarity is our best immunity,” he said, urging residents to trust the preparations and to look after one another.
The WHO continues to monitor the situation closely, coordinating with multiple countries under the IHR framework. The organization’s next steps include ongoing medical support for the ship’s passengers, continued testing, and the provision of guidance to prevent further transmission. The incident underscores the importance of international cooperation in responding to health threats that cross borders.
