Spanish government confirms new case of hantavirus
NBC News
Last updated: May 26, 2026
Spain has confirmed a new case of hantavirus linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius. This new case is a close contact of an individual from the initial outbreak that resulted in three deaths. Health authorities state this latest case does not increase the risk to the general public.
- The Spanish Health Ministry reported a new hantavirus case in a Spanish national undergoing preventative quarantine in Madrid. This individual is a close contact of someone previously linked to the MV Hondius outbreak. The patient has been under surveillance and isolation at Gómez Ulla Hospital, with the positive result detected through routine testing of contacts. The ministry confirmed the patient was transferred to a high-level isolation unit for specialized medical care. Hantavirus, endemic in parts of South America, is rare in humans and has not previously been recorded on a cruise ship. Global and U.S. health officials have worked to allay fears of a widespread outbreak. The ministry maintains that this new case, already within the isolation system, does not alter the risk to the public or current epidemiological response measures. The incubation period for hantavirus can be up to six weeks. No new fatalities have occurred since May 2, when the outbreak was first reported. The MV Hondius completed a seven-week voyage with up to 11 infections and three deaths. Passengers are largely under quarantine in their home countries.
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