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⚠️ Verified information. If you have symptoms: consult a doctor immediately. Spain Emergency: 112
⚠️ ACTIVE OUTBREAK - Sunday May 11, 2026

Hantavirus Outbreak: MV Hondius Cruise in Canary Islands

Cruise ship MV Hondius will anchor offshore at Puerto Granadilla (Tenerife) this Sunday. It will NOT dock. Passengers will be evacuated and transferred directly to Tenerife South Airport for repatriation.

WHO Assessment: 5 confirmed cases, 3 suspected, 3 deaths. Low risk to general population. No passengers have shown symptoms since April 28.

5
WHO confirmed cases
3
Deaths
~150
Passengers and crew
Andes
Strain detected

🔬 What is Hantavirus?

Hantaviruses are a family of viruses transmitted by infected rodents through urine, feces, and saliva.


In Europe they cause Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), affecting kidneys. In the Americas, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS).


Only the Andes strain (detected in this outbreak) can spread person-to-person, but this is extremely rare.

Key facts:

  • No vaccine or specific treatment
  • Early diagnosis improves survival
  • Prevention is highly effective
  • 30-50% mortality if untreated

🏥 Hantavirus Symptoms: When to call 112

1️⃣ Week 1-2: Initial

  • • High fever
  • • Severe muscle aches
  • • Fatigue
  • • Headache
  • • Chills
  • • Nausea

Flu-like symptoms

2️⃣ Day 4-10: Progression

  • • Persistent cough
  • • Breathing difficulty
  • • Chest pressure
  • • Abdominal pain
  • • Frequent vomiting

⚠️ Rapid deterioration

3️⃣ CRITICAL: MEDICAL EMERGENCY

  • • Severe respiratory failure
  • • Shock
  • • Acute kidney failure
  • • Life-threatening without treatment

🚨 CALL 112 IMMEDIATELY

⚠️ If you were aboard or in close contact with passengers:
Monitor your health for 45 days. If you develop fever, muscle aches, or breathing difficulty: call Emergency (112) and inform of hantavirus exposure.

🛡️ Prevention: What actually works

🏠 At Home

  • ✓ Seal cracks and holes (rodents)
  • ✓ Store food in airtight containers
  • ✓ Trash in containers with tight lids
  • ✓ Regular cleaning
  • ✓ Use traps if rodents present

⚠️ Cleaning Rodent Droppings

  • ✗ NEVER sweep (spreads virus to air)
  • ✗ NEVER vacuum
  • ✓ Use thick gloves and mask
  • ✓ Spray with bleach (1:10), wait 5 min
  • ✓ Clean with disposable paper
✓ Good news: Simple preventive measures are highly effective. Avoiding rodent contact reduces risk by 99%.

📰 Hantavirus 2026 News (Spanish Sources)

⚠️ Note: Links lead to Spanish-language news sources covering this outbreak in Spain.

LIVE · Minute-by-minute coverage

Official liveblogs with constant updates. Click to open in a new tab. Spanish-language sources.

EL MUNDO ● LIVE

MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak - Latest

Minute-by-minute coverage of the outbreak and ship arrival at Tenerife.

RTVC CANARY ISLANDS ● LIVE

Minute-by-minute from Canary Islands

Local public TV coverage. Direct information from the affected territory.

INFOBAE ● LIVE

Hantavirus cruise - Live updates

Latest news with reactions, WHO data, and testimonies. Continuous updates.

External links. We don't take responsibility for third-party content.

🚢 Live Tracker: MV Hondius Position

Real-time tracking via AIS. Arrival: Sunday May 11, midday. Will anchor offshore at Puerto Granadilla. Will NOT dock.

📡 Real-time Position

LIVE · AIS
Vessel
MV Hondius
IMO
9818709
Speed
~11 knots
Flag
Netherlands
Sources: VesselFinder · MarineTraffic