French Passenger Develops Hantavirus Symptoms During Cruise Ship Evacuation
Posted on 05/11/26 at 09:16
- French cruise passenger placed in isolation
- Cruise ship faces deadly outbreak
- Authorities activate international quarantines
A French citizen began showing hantavirus symptoms while traveling on a repatriation flight after being evacuated from the MV Hondius, a cruise ship affected by a deadly outbreak of the disease.
The information was confirmed Sunday by French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
The case comes as multiple countries implement strict quarantine protocols following the outbreak detected aboard the MV Hondius, which has been linked to at least nine suspected or confirmed cases and three deaths.
French cruise passenger developed symptoms during the flight
“Five of our fellow citizens aboard the MV Hondius, the site of the hantavirus outbreak, have been repatriated to French territory. One of them developed symptoms during the repatriation flight.
As a result, these five passengers were immediately placed under strict isolation.”
— Sébastien Lecornu (@SebLecornu) May 10, 2026
According to CBS News, authorities had previously stated that no one aboard the MV Hondius was showing hantavirus symptoms.
However, Lecornu reported on social media that one French passenger began developing symptoms while on the repatriation flight.
The official did not specify what symptoms the passenger experienced.
He also did not clarify whether tests had already been conducted to confirm the infection.
According to the French prime minister, five passengers were immediately placed into strict isolation.
They will also undergo the appropriate testing procedures.
The outbreak is linked to a rare strain of hantavirus capable of human-to-human transmission.
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Authorities have confirmed or suspect at least nine cases connected to the cruise ship.
Three deaths have been reported.
The identified victims include a Dutch couple and a German woman.
The MV Hondius was carrying around 150 people from more than 15 countries.
Among the passengers were 17 U.S. citizens.
The ship had departed from Cape Verde bound for Granadilla after Spain agreed to receive the vessel.
International evacuation carried out under strict health measures
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Passengers began disembarking Sunday morning after the cruise ship arrived in Tenerife.
Oceanwide Expeditions, the company operating the MV Hondius, stated that the evacuation was carried out using small boats capable of transporting between five and ten people.
Afterward, all passengers underwent symptom screenings.
Spanish authorities stated that neither passengers nor crew members had contact with the local population before being transferred to flights.
Spanish citizens were evacuated first and transported to a military hospital in Madrid.
French and British passengers also left the vessel.
A video released by the Spanish Ministry of Defense showed surfaces covered with plastic and personnel wearing protective equipment.
During the operation, passengers and port workers wore masks, respirators, and protective suits.
The operation in Tenerife is being supervised by Spanish ministers of Health and Interior.
It also involves Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Authorities continue insisting that the risk to the general public remains low.
After disembarkation, a minimal crew will remain aboard the ship to handle supplies before the vessel departs for Rotterdam.
The trip is expected to take approximately five days.
According to Spanish authorities, the body of one deceased passenger will remain aboard the MV Hondius until it arrives in Rotterdam, where the ship will undergo disinfection procedures to avoid the spread of hantavirus.
United States and other countries implement quarantines
U.S. citizens will be the last group evacuated from the cruise ship.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will send a team of epidemiologists and medical professionals to the Canary Islands to assess exposure risks for each American passenger.
Afterward, evacuees will be transported to the United States aboard a special medical aircraft sent by the CDC and the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
The flight will land at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha.
Passengers will then be transferred to a specialized biocontainment unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Michael Wadman explained that each American MV Hondius passenger will remain in individual rooms during their hantavirus quarantine.
Authorities have not specified how long the isolation period will last.
The United Kingdom also announced that British passengers and crew members will be hospitalized for observation.
In Spain, the 14 evacuated citizens will remain in quarantine at a military hospital in Madrid.
In France, Lecornu announced plans to issue a decree implementing isolation measures for close contacts.
The WHO continues to insist that the public risk remains low.
Tedros stated: “This is not another COVID.” He also urged the public to avoid panic.
According to the CDC, hantavirus symptoms may take up to eight weeks to appear after exposure.
The WHO explained that the Andes strain identified in Latin America is the only known hantavirus strain capable of human-to-human transmission.
Jay Bhattacharya supported the WHO’s assessment that the overall risk remains low.
