Spanish Evacuee Tests Positive for Hantavirus After Cruise Incident

A Spanish national who was evacuated from a cruise ship earlier this month has tested positive for hantavirus, as confirmed by Spain's Health Ministry. This individual is currently in quarantine at Gómez Ulla Hospital in Madrid.

This marks the second confirmed case among the 14 Spaniards who were evacuated to Tenerife from the MV Hondius cruise liner. The MV Hondius had approximately 150 passengers and crew from 23 countries on board, and reported a cluster of severe respiratory illnesses to the World Health Organization on May 2.

The Health Ministry communicated via the social media platform X that the detection of hantavirus among the quarantined individuals does not change the risk level for the wider public. Health authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely, ensuring that necessary precautions are taken.

Hantavirus can be transmitted to humans through contact with rodent droppings, urine, or saliva, and can lead to serious respiratory issues. With public health safety in mind, health officials urge vigilance but stress that the current situation remains controlled.

Additional information on the affected individuals has not been disclosed, and authorities continue to investigate the case further.