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Final passengers leave Hantavirus-hit cruise ship as cases rise, deaths linked to outbreak

An American and a French national who had already returned home tested positive, while a Spaniard in quarantine in Madrid also showed a provisional positive result.

3 min read May 12, 2026 12:31 PM IST First published on: May 12, 2026 at 12:31 PM IST

The hantavirus-stricken cruise ship MV Hondius is seen at anchor at the port of Granadilla in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. (Photo: AP)

The last passengers have disembarked from the virus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius, as fresh cases of hantavirus were confirmed, raising concerns among health authorities, though officials say the overall risk remains low.

The final six passengers including four Australians, a Briton and a New Zealander left the vessel in Tenerife before it departed for the Netherlands.

According to BBC, the evacuation marks the end of a large repatriation effort that saw more than 90 passengers flown back to their home countries…