Hantavirus Ship Evacuation Ends, Quarantines Begin

WHO Director-General Tedros and a health expert during operations involving the MV Hondius off Tenerife amid the hantavirus response.

Passengers and crew members have disembarked from the hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius in Tenerife, with many already returning to their home countries, as the World Health Organization described the operation as a “triumph of solidarity”.

The repatriation effort, coordinated by Spanish authorities with support from WHO, the European Union, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and several governments, marked the conclusion of an emergency response operation that drew global attention following an outbreak of Andes hantavirus aboard the vessel.

As of Monday, WHO reported nine cases linked to the ship, including seven laboratory-confirmed infections and three deaths. Another suspected case remains under investigation after an inconclusive test result.

Operation Carried Out ‘As Planned’

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who was in Tenerife leading the emergency response team, praised Spain’s handling of the operation, saying the evacuation had been completed “in style and as planned”.

“This is a triumph of solidarity,” he said, thanking the Spanish government, European partners, authorities in Tenerife and the ship’s crew for their cooperation throughout the crisis.

The final groups of passengers departed the Canary Islands on specially arranged flights on Monday. More than 30 crew members and two healthcare workers remained on board as the vessel continued its journey to its home port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

Strict Quarantine Measures

WHO officials stressed that none of the passengers travelled on commercial flights and urged countries receiving returning citizens to enforce strict monitoring measures.

The agency has recommended 42 days of quarantine or isolation from 10 May, either at home or in designated facilities, due to the virus’s long incubation period and the possibility of delayed symptoms.

“The guidance is clear. It’s 42 days of isolation,” Tedros said.

Health experts explained that the extended monitoring period is necessary because infected individuals may become contagious at the onset of symptoms.

Monitoring Phase Underway

Tedros said the operation has now entered a longer-term monitoring phase, with WHO requesting participating countries to provide weekly updates through the International Health Regulations (IHR) platform on the condition of passengers and crew members.

“Continued international coordination is essential to protect public health,” he said.

Outbreak Still Considered Contained

WHO epidemiology and analytics chief Olivier Le Polain said the outbreak remains “well contained for now”, though additional infections could still emerge in the coming days or weeks.

"We know the incubation period for hantavirus and the Andes strain is very long,” he said during a WHO briefing. “People can still develop symptoms much later.”

WHO officials also highlighted the mental and physical strain faced by passengers and crew after spending weeks at sea. They said the repatriation process was designed both to reduce transmission risks and ensure proper medical support for those affected.

“This is not another COVID,” Tedros said, while urging countries to continue showing “compassion and solidarity” towards returning citizens.