LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA — Spanish health authorities ordered the cruise ship MV Hondius to remain at anchor off the coast of the Canary Islands on Friday after at least two passengers tested positive for hantavirus, forcing the vessel to isolate its entire complement of approximately 140 passengers and crew members, according to maritime officials and health department statements.
The ship arrived at the Port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on Thursday evening after reports of a rapid spread of respiratory illness among passengers on an Atlantic route journey. Port medical teams boarded the vessel and confirmed through laboratory testing that at least two individuals had contracted hantavirus, a pathogen transmitted primarily through contact with infected rodents or their excrement, though person-to-person transmission has been documented in certain strains.
All 140 passengers and crew are currently confined to the vessel. No one is permitted to disembark until we have a complete epidemiological picture, a spokesperson for the Canary Islands Health Authority said in a statement published by regional broadcaster RTVC.
Symptoms and Transmission
Hantavirus infections in Europe are relatively rare but not unprecedented. The disease typically presents with early symptoms including fever, muscle aches, and fatigue, often accompanied by headache, dizziness, chills, and abdominal pain. In its pulmonary form — hantavirus pulmonary syndrome — the disease can progress rapidly to severe respiratory distress, with a fatality rate approaching 40 percent. Health authorities have deployed specialist epidemiological teams to the port to conduct contact tracing and monitor all individuals aboard.
The Spanish Ministry of Health confirmed it had been notified in accordance with International Health Regulations protocols, with communication established with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control in Stockholm. A containment perimeter has been established around the Port of Las Palmas, and medical personnel in full protective equipment have been stationed at the gangway.
Industry and Legal Implications
The incident represents a significant operational and legal challenge for the cruise industry, which has spent years rebuilding passenger confidence following the COVID-19 outbreaks that crippled several major lines in 2020. Cruise ships, with their enclosed environments, shared ventilation systems, and high-density living quarters, present particular challenges for infectious disease containment.
Passenger rights advocates in Spain have already called for the cruise line to provide full refunds and compensation to all those aboard. The full epidemiological assessment was expected to take between 48 and 72 hours before any decision on whether to permit passengers to disembark. Food, water, and medical supplies are being delivered to the vessel by tender boats under strict protocols.
This is a developing story. Updates will be published as more information becomes available.
