MV Hondius cruise ship evacuates 140+ passengers amid Andes virus outbreak; three dead, five confirmed infected

The MV Hondius cruise ship, anchored off Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands, is undergoing a multi-national evacuation after an Andes virus outbreak. Three passengers have died and five are confirmed infected; the remaining 140+ aboard show no current symptoms but are being repatriated to over 20 countries with strict quarantine protocols. Spain, WHO, and EU health authorities are coordinating the evacuation, with passengers wearing hazmat suits and being decontaminated. The ship will sail to Rotterdam for disinfection. Secondary cases are under investigation in Tristan da Cunha (suspected, ex-passenger) and Johannesburg (fatal). Andes virus can rarely spread person-to-person, unlike typical hantavirus strains. WHO Director-General Tedros emphasizes low general public risk.