Spain announces evacuation of cruise ship MV Hondius with hantavirus outbreak starting Sunday

Spain's Minister of Territorial Policy announced Friday that repatriation of passengers from the cruise ship MV Hondius will commence upon the vessel's arrival at the port of Granadilla in Tenerife, Canary Islands, on Sunday morning. The announcement accelerates evacuation plans originally scheduled for Monday. The ship, which departed Argentina in April, has been the site of a hantavirus outbreak resulting in three suspected deaths. Three additional sick passengers disembarked near Cape Verde on Wednesday before the vessel continued toward the Canaries carrying approximately 150 people—passengers and crew representing 23 nationalities. Spanish authorities stated aircraft would be available the same day to facilitate repatriation.