Cruise ship hit by Hantavirus outbreak set to arrive in Tenerife

A cruise ship affected by a hantavirus outbreak is expected to arrive at the Spanish island of Tenerife in the early hours of Sunday, according to the cruise operator.

“Preparations regarding our point of arrival, quarantine and screening procedures for all guests, and the onward travel plans for all guests and affected crew are being led by organisations from several countries,” Oceanwide Expeditions said in a statement.

The company said the agencies involved include the World Health Organization, Dutch authorities and Spanish officials, who are coordinating response measures.

It added that no one aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise liner HV Hondius was showing symptoms as of Friday evening.

After docking at the port of Granadilla in Tenerife, local authorities are expected to take over medical procedures and determine arrangements for passengers’ possible return journeys, Oceanwide Expeditions said.

The Hondius had remained anchored for several days off the coast of Cape Verde after reports of the outbreak emerged.

The ship is now sailing toward Tenerife.

Three people an elderly Dutch couple and a woman from Germany have died in connection with the outbreak aboard the cruise ship, which departed from southern Argentina on April 1 with fewer than 150 people on board.

The WHO on Friday confirmed six hantavirus cases, including the three deaths, while two additional cases remain under investigation.