---
title: 'Passengers of Hantavirus Affected Cruise Ship Return to Home Countries'
url: 'https://thediplomaticinsight.com/passengers-hantavirus-ship-returning-home/'
author: 'News Desk'
date: '2026-05-11T10:30:26+05:00'
categories:
  - 'Europe'
  - 'Health Diplomacy'
---

# Passengers of Hantavirus Affected Cruise Ship Return to Home Countries

Passengers aboard the Dutch expedition cruise ship *MV Hondius* began returning home, on Sunday, under strict quarantine measures after a deadly hantavirus outbreak forced the vessel to dock in Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands.

The outbreak, linked to the rare Andes strain of hantavirus, has killed three passengers and infected at least six others, according to health officials and the World Health Organization.

More than 140 passengers and crew members from over 20 countries were evacuated from the ship while wearing protective equipment, with authorities treating all onboard as high-risk contacts.

Images from Tenerife showed passengers being escorted off the ship by emergency workers in full-body suits and breathing masks before boarding military and government-chartered flights.

Some travelers underwent temperature screenings and disinfection procedures before departing for their home countries. The *MV Hondius* had spent days isolated at sea after multiple passengers became ill during a voyage that began in Argentina.

Authorities believe the outbreak may have originated from exposure to infected rodents before boarding, although investigators are also examining the possibility of limited person-to-person transmission.

**Read More: [Cruise Ship with Hantavirus Outbreak Sails for Canary Islands After Emergency Evacuations](https://thediplomaticinsight.com/ship-hantavirus-sails-for-canary-islands/)**

The outbreak has prompted coordinated responses from governments and health agencies across Europe and beyond. Countries including France, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Australia organized specialized repatriation flights for citizens aboard the ship.

In some cases, passengers will face weeks of monitored isolation after arriving home. British authorities, for example, reportedly require hospital observation followed by extended self-quarantine.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly stressed that the broader public risk remains low, citing spread through contact with rodent droppings, urine or saliva, while human-to-human transmission is considered extremely uncommon.

Nevertheless, the unusual circumstances of the outbreak have drawn worldwide attention and prompted extensive contact tracing efforts involving passengers who had already disembarked earlier in the voyage.

One French passenger reportedly developed symptoms during evacuation, while US authorities confirmed that one American traveler tested mildly positive after returning home in a specialized medical transport.

The ship is expected to continue to Rotterdam for a full disinfection process once all passengers and crew are removed, officials said.