LAST UPDATE | 5 May

SPAIN WILL RECEIVE a cruise ship stricken by a deadly hantavirus outbreak in “three to four days”, in the Canary Islands, the health ministry said.

“The exact port of arrival has not yet been determined,” it said, adding: “Once there, the crew and passengers will be duly examined, cared for, and transferred to their respective countries”.

It follows the World Health Organisation (WHO) earlier saying it suspects human-to-human transmission following a presumed hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean.

“We do believe that there may be some human-to-human transmission that is happening among the really close contacts,” the WHO’s epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention director Maria Van Kerkhove, told reporters.

She added that there was a suspicion the person first sickened was infected before boarding the cruise ship, currently anchored off Cape Verde.

Three people have died and two cases of the virus have been confirmed, tour operator Oceanwide Expeditions said.

Earlier it was reported that a British and a Dutch crew member required “urgent medical care” and a passenger from the UK remains in a critical but stable condition aboard the vessel.

Two Irish passengers are among the 149 people on the MV Hondius, a polar cruise vessel. 

WHO earlier said that Spain would “welcome” the ship, but the Spanish health ministry said they would not make a decision on the matter until epidemiological data had been analysed.

“Based on the epidemiological data collected from the ship during its stopover in Cape Verde, it will be decided which port of call is most appropriate. Until then, the Ministry of Health will not take any decision, as we have informed the World Health Organization,” the ministry said.

In a statement last night, Oceanwide Expeditions said it continues to deal with a serious medical situation on board.

It said two crew members continue to present acute respiratory symptoms, one mild and one severe, and both of which “require urgent medical care”.

At this time, no other persons with symptoms have been identified.

Meanwhile, Oceanwide Expeditions confirmed that a variant of hantavirus has been identified as being present in the female Dutch national who died on 27 April 2026 after disembarking in Saint Helena.

The other confirmed case involves a British passenger who is receiving care in South Africa.

Hantavirus infections, which are usually spread by infected rodents’ urine or faeces, can lead to severe respiratory illness and can sometimes be fatal.

Oceanwide Expeditions said the atmosphere on board the m/v Hondius “remains calm, with passengers generally composed”.

It added that work is ongoing to “expedite their disembarkation and medical screening” and that it is “upholding stringent health and safety procedures”.

This includes having isolation measures in place on the cruise ship.

Dutch authorities meanwhile are actively preparing a medical evacuation of two symptomatic individuals, along with the passenger associated with the guest that died on 2 May.

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This will involve two specialised aircraft, but this is not confirmed and is subject to change.

Oceanwide Expeditions meanwhile confirmed that passengers will not be disembarking in Cape Verde, except for the three individuals who are to be medically evacuated.

Sailing on to Las Palmas or Tenerife is being considered, where further medical screening and handling could take place, which would be organised and supervised by the WHO and Dutch health services, but this is yet to be confirmed.

The ship’s journey began on 1 April and a passenger died on board on 11 April, but the cause of death could not be determined on board.

On 24 April, this deceased passenger was disembarked on St Helena, with his wife accompanying the repatriation.

The wife became unwell during the return journey and died. Authorities later confirmed she tested positive for a variant of hantavirus.

Both passengers were Dutch nationals.

On 2 May, a German passenger on board died, but the cause has not yet been established.

-With additional reporting from Press Association and AFP.