Two additional passengers aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius have tested positive for hantavirus, raising the total number of confirmed infections linked to the outbreak to 10.
According to health officials, the new cases involve a French woman and an American man who were evacuated from the vessel while it was anchored near Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands. French authorities said the woman’s condition has worsened, while US officials confirmed another passenger showed mild symptoms during repatriation.
The outbreak aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise ship has already resulted in two confirmed deaths and one probable death, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Several infected passengers remain under medical observation, with one patient reportedly in intensive care.
Health authorities in France, the United States, Spain, and other countries are continuing to trace and monitor passengers who may have been exposed to the virus. France has also introduced stricter isolation measures for close contacts in an effort to prevent further spread.
The MV Hondius had been stranded for weeks after the outbreak was detected. Repatriation flights are now underway to return passengers to their home countries, including Australia, the Netherlands, and the United States.
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially deadly disease commonly spread by rodents, though certain strains can occasionally spread between humans. Symptoms may include fever, headaches, stomach problems, and severe breathing difficulties.
Health experts, however, stressed that the virus is far less contagious than COVID-19, with public health officials describing the overall risk to the wider population as very low.
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