Spain Orders 42-Day Quarantine For Passengers From Hantavirus Cruise Ship
HuffPost
Last updated: May 11, 2026
Fourteen Spanish passengers were evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship due to a hantavirus outbreak. They are currently under quarantine in a Madrid hospital. The World Health Organization (WHO) is monitoring the situation.
- The affected individuals were repatriated by a Spanish military aircraft. They arrived at Madrid's La Paz hospital, a designated center for highly infectious diseases.
- Medical teams are conducting tests to confirm if any of the passengers have contracted hantavirus. The cruise ship MV Hondius was carrying passengers on a trip to Antarctica.
- The initial cases were detected on board the vessel, prompting immediate medical attention for the passengers. The Spanish Ministry of Health has confirmed the quarantine measures.
- The WHO is involved to ensure international health protocols are followed and to assess any potential broader public health implications.
- Further updates on the passengers' health status and test results are expected as the quarantine period progresses. The focus remains on containment and preventing further spread.
