The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) is expected to arrive in Spain’s Canary Islands to coordinate emergency response efforts following a hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise vessel carrying around 150 passengers and crew. The ship, identified as the MV Hondius, is scheduled to reach waters near Tenerife, where authorities are preparing a controlled evacuation operation.
Read More: WHO says hantavirus risk remains low
According to Spanish ministry sources, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will join Spain’s health and interior ministers at a central command post to oversee coordination between agencies and ensure strict implementation of health surveillance and containment protocols.
Buenas noticias:
La segunda persona que viajó en el avión en el que coincidió la mujer neerlandesa del crucero MV Hondius, fallecida posteriormente por hantavirus en Johannesburgo, confirmamos que ha sido localizada.
La mujer, de nacionalidad sudafricana, se encuentra…
— Mónica García (@Monica_Garcia_G) May 8, 2026
The outbreak has already resulted in three deaths, while six confirmed cases have been identified among passengers and crew. Health officials have confirmed the presence of a rare strain of hantavirus, including the Andes variant, which is capable of limited person-to-person transmission and has raised international concern.
Despite the seriousness of the cases, the WHO has stressed that the overall risk to the general public remains low. Officials say transmission is not easily spread between individuals and most infections appear isolated.
The Dutch-flagged vessel departed from South America earlier this month and experienced multiple medical emergencies during its journey. Several passengers have been evacuated at different ports, while others remain under quarantine or medical observation.
Spanish authorities have confirmed that the ship will not be allowed to dock directly in Tenerife. Instead, passengers will be transferred via smaller boats before being transported to the airport for repatriation flights to their home countries. Special arrangements are also being made by several governments, including the United States, to evacuate their citizens under strict quarantine protocols.
Read More: Hantavirus cases reported on stranded cruise ship
Officials say the evacuation must be completed within a narrow window due to worsening weather conditions expected later in the week. Meanwhile, health agencies continue monitoring all suspected cases to prevent further spread and ensure rapid containment of the outbreak.
The situation remains under close international supervision as emergency teams coordinate a complex maritime and medical response.