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MV Hondius Hantavirus Outbreak: Ship Bound for Tenerife

Health agencies cite five confirmed Andes cases, rating the wider risk low.

Overview

  • The Hondius, which departed Cape Verde on Wednesday, is heading to Tenerife after Spain cleared a port call for health checks at a specialist unit.
  • Two seriously ill crew members — a 56-year-old Briton and a 41-year-old Dutchman — were airlifted toward the Netherlands for treatment.
  • A 65-year-old German contact was flown via Amsterdam and taken under high-containment to University Hospital Düsseldorf for precautionary evaluation.
  • Labs have confirmed five infections in the cluster, including cases with the Andes hantavirus, which can rarely pass between people after prolonged close contact.
  • WHO says the public-health risk is low as cross-border teams expand contact tracing, including passengers from Airlink flight 4Z132 linked to a deceased traveler.