Spain announced that it will receive within days a cruise ship suspected of spreading the Hanta virus on board after recording three deaths, at a time when the World Health Organization suggested the possibility of limited transmission of the infection between people who were in very close contact inside the ship.

Published on: 05/06/2026 - 05:47 Last updated: 05/06/2026 - 08:04

The Spanish Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday evening that it would receive a cruise ship within “3 to 4 days” suspected of being exposed to an outbreak of the Hanta virus in the Canary Islands, explaining that “the port in which it will dock has not yet been determined.”

The Ministry explained in a statement that "the crew and passengers will undergo medical examinations upon their arrival, and will be provided with the necessary care before being transported to their countries," noting that the operation "will take place through special places and means of transportation that have been prepared for this purpose, while avoiding any contact with the local population."

The Ministry confirmed that the World Health Organization had clarified that Cape Verde was not able to carry out this operation, while the Canary Islands are the closest location that has the necessary capabilities to deal with the situation.

Vice President of the Regional Government of the Canary Islands, Manuel Dominguez, announced earlier that he preferred the ship to go directly to the Spanish mainland, where the necessary resources were available to deal with it.

Read also: What is the “Hanta” virus that led to the death of people on a ship in the Atlantic Ocean and what is its danger?

The Spanish ministry added that the government "also accepted an official request from the Dutch government to receive the doctor on board the MV Hondius, who is in a dangerous condition, as he will be transported to the Canary Islands on a medical plane on Tuesday."

The World Health Organization had previously announced the suspicion of transmission of the Hanta virus from one person to another on board the cruise ship, after recording three deaths, while Madrid had not yet made a decision to allow the ship to dock in its ports.

Director of the Organization's Epidemic Preparedness and Prevention Department, Maria Van Kerkhove, told reporters, "We likely have limited human transmission of the infection between people who were in very close contact," adding that there is suspicion that the first infected person may have contracted the infection before boarding the cruise ship.

France 24/AFP

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