French Citizen Contracts Hantavirus After Flight With Infected Passenger

First European Case Outside Cruise Ship

A French national not aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship has contracted hantavirus after traveling on a flight with an infected passenger, marking the first case in Europe not directly linked to the cruise vessel, according to reports dated May 6, 2026. This development indicates the virus’s spread beyond the quarantined ship to the broader population through air travel.

Medical Evacuations and Current Cases

Three patients were medically evacuated from the MV Hondius to the Netherlands, including a British crew member believed to be a doctor who contracted the virus while treating patients, a Dutch crew member, and a German passenger. Oceanwide Expeditions stated that two of the evacuated patients were suffering acute symptoms, and the third was “closely associated” with a passenger who died on May 2.

One hantavirus patient from the MV Hondius is currently receiving treatment at University Hospital Zurich. The Swiss Health Ministry confirmed the case, stating that the hospital “is prepared to deal with such cases, is able to care for the patient, and guarantee the safety of staff and all patients,” and emphasized that “there is currently no risk to the Swiss public.”

WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated: “Three suspected hantavirus case patients have just been evacuated from the ship and are on their way to receive medical care in the Netherlands. WHO continues to work with the ship’s operators to closely monitor the health of passengers and crew, working with countries to support appropriate medical follow-up and evacuation where needed.”

International Spread: The Dutch Woman’s Journey

A 69-year-old Dutch woman, whose husband was among the passengers who died from hantavirus, left the MV Hondius at St Helena on April 24 displaying “gastrointestinal symptoms.” She subsequently traveled to Johannesburg on April 25, where she succumbed to the deadly virus.

Specialists have cautioned that the Andes strain of hantavirus caught by passengers is prone to “super-spreader” incidents. Officials are attempting to track down contacts of the Dutch woman who left the vessel on one of the planet’s most isolated islands.

Ship Destination and Political Dispute

The MV Hondius is anticipated to arrive at the port of Santa Cruz in Tenerife within three or four days. Three passengers aboard the vessel have died from hantavirus.

The Spanish Health Ministry confirmed it will welcome the virus-stricken ship in the Canary Islands “in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles,” stating the islands represent the “closest location with the necessary capabilities” to care for those aboard and that “Spain has a moral and legal obligation to assist these people, among whom are also several Spanish citizens.”

However, Fernando Clavijo, the regional chief of the Canary Islands, publicly opposed the decision. He stated he “cannot allow” the contaminated vessel to enter his waters and lacked sufficient details “to reassure the public or guarantee their safety” should the infected vessel dock in the Canaries. Clavijo told Spanish broadcaster Telecinco: “This decision is not based on any technical criteria, nor is there sufficient information to reassure the public or guarantee their safety.”

Canary Islands spokesman Alfonso Cabello questioned the strategy shift: “We can’t understand why there’s been a change in the strategy that had been adopted without us being told. If the situation on the ship is one of relative calm which appears to be the case, why are passengers and crew going to be subjected to three or four more days at sea so they can reach the Canary Islands. Why not evacuate them directly via the international airport in Cape Verde?”

Cabello also noted uncertainty about the virus strain: “We are talking about a virus that, according to the specialists we have heard, seems to pose no risk between humans but other specialists are not saying the same. We do not exactly know what strain it is, whether it has mutated or not. I believe that this lack of information is creating a certain state of nervousness among professionals themselves and the population.”

Current Status

Staff and tourists aboard the vessel will undergo medical examinations before being transported back to their respective nations. A 69-year-old British man is battling for his life in a South African hospital. The location of a critically ill British doctor who was due to be airlifted from the cruise ship remains unknown as of the article publication date.