The MV Hondius cruise ship, which has been stricken by a Hantavirus outbreak, was refused docking in the Canary Islands this morning – and another case has been confirmed in Europe
A general view of the cruise ship MV Hondius stationary off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on May 3, 2026(Image: Photo by AFP via Getty Images)
A cruise ship which has been suffering from an outbreak of Hantavirus onboard has been refused docking in the Canary Islands.
The MV Hondius had planned to sail from Cape Verde in South Africa with the intention of docking in the Canary Islands, but it was refused today by the regional government of the Canary Islands.
The ship’s final destination was meant to be Cape Verde, but it was also refused docking at this port.
The Spanish health ministry said yesterday that the World Health Organisation and the European Union asked it to take the MV Hondius “in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles”.
“The World Health Organisation has explained that Cape Verde is unable to carry out this operation,” the Spanish health ministry said in a statement.
“The Canary Islands are the closest location with the necessary capabilities. Spain has a moral and legal obligation to assist these people, among whom are also several Spanish citizens.”
However, the Canary Islands regional leader Fernando Clavijo has announced that the ship will not dock in their ports. He has also requested an urgent meeting with Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish prime minister, to discuss the matter.
“This decision is not based on any technical criteria, nor is there sufficient information to reassure the public or guarantee their safety. I cannot allow it to enter the Canary Islands.”
So far, a total of seven suspected cases of hantavirus have been identified on board the ship. A Dutch couple and one German national have died. There is another person in a critical condition. That person is a British national who was evacuated from the ship and is being treated in South Africa.
There are three others with mild symptoms.
The World Health Organisation believe the Dutch couple, who joined the ship in Argentina after travelling in the country, were infected before boarding the ship.
Others may also have been infected while on the cruise’s bird-watching trips to islands where birds and rodents live, the WHO said.
Typically, Hantavirus spreads through rats, but there are no rats on board the ship. Instead, the WHO believe some human-to-human transmission likely took place among close contacts.
A new case linked to the outbreak on the ship has also been confirmed. The Swiss government announced that a person infected with hantavirus is being treated in Zurich, Sky News reports.
The patient was a passenger on the MV Hondius and the Swiss government say there is no danger to their general population.
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