Spain’s health minister Mónica García announced that nearly 150 passengers on the MV Hondius will be repatriated through the Canary Islands in a tight time frame and under strict controls after a hantavirus outbreak claimed three lives. The ship, docked off Cape Verde, carried Dutch, German and Spanish travelers, with eight confirmed cases of the deadly Andes strain.

Spanish authorities will quarantine 14 nationals at a military hospital in Madrid for an indeterminate period, while non‑Spanish passengers without symptoms will be flown home today in this critical phase. The United Nations’ WHO has confirmed eight cases, and the Dutch couple plus a German passenger were among the deceased, underscoring the virus’s severity.

Oceanwide Expeditions has deployed two infectious disease physicians from the Netherlands to the ship, pledging expanded on‑board care. Professor Andrew Pollard of Oxford believes that strict protocols will keep community transmission at essentially zero, while the Spanish government has cut a deal with WHO to coordinate the response for affected passengers and global health.

Critics argue Madrid excluded Canary Islands’ officials from key meetings, citing a need for regional input. Meanwhile, the UK Foreign Secretary stressed the seriousness of the outbreak, urging swift repatriation of British nationals. The incident highlights the economic risks for cruise operators amid heightened safety scrutiny that could trigger insurance claims and travel bans.