The response to the hantavirus outbreak on board the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius has exposed significant coordination challenges between Spanish authorities, as officials work against the clock to finalise a safe evacuation strategy ahead of the vessel’s expected arrival in Tenerife.
A high-level meeting is taking place today between the Ministers of Health and Territorial Policy and the President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, with the aim of agreeing on a definitive protocol for the disembarkation and transfer of the 14 Spanish nationals currently on board. Despite the urgency of the situation, key aspects of the operation remain unresolved.
Confusion over disembarkation and quarantine measures
The ship is due to reach waters off the port of Granadilla de Abona this Sunday, yet there is still no clear consensus on how passengers will be handled upon arrival. One of the main points of contention centres on whether quarantine or hospitalisation will be voluntary or enforced.
Initial statements by Defence Minister Margarita Robles suggested that those affected would be transferred to the Gómez Ulla military hospital in Madrid on a voluntary basis. However, the Ministry of Health, led by Mónica García, has since adopted a firmer stance, indicating that it is prepared to implement legal measures if necessary to guarantee public health protection.
This divergence in messaging has contributed to growing uncertainty around the official protocol, both among authorities and those directly involved in the operation.
Tensions in the Canary Islands over the ship’s arrival
At regional level, the Canary Islands Government has expressed serious concern about the handling of the situation, particularly the possibility of the vessel docking directly at port. Authorities have called for a more cautious approach, insisting that the ship should remain anchored at a safe distance from the coastline.
This position has been reinforced by the president of the Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Pedro Suárez, who has clarified that the MV Hondius does not currently have authorisation to dock. Instead, it will only be permitted to remain at anchor while further decisions are made regarding passenger transfer.
Operational concerns and lack of clear protocols
The uncertainty has also extended to the security forces tasked with managing the operation on the ground. The Civil Guard association JUCIL has publicly criticised the lack of detailed guidance provided to officers who may be required to interact with passengers.
According to the association, personnel deployed to Granadilla have not yet received specific health and safety protocols, despite the seriousness of the situation and the confirmed deaths linked to the outbreak. This has raised concerns about both operational preparedness and the protection of frontline staff.
Tracing the origin of the outbreak
Emerging information from international health authorities, including the World Health Organization, suggests that the outbreak did not originate on the vessel itself. Investigations point instead to a Dutch couple who had recently completed a 64-day trip through Argentina and Chile, regions where the “Southern Andes” strain of hantavirus is endemic.
This variant is particularly significant because, unlike most forms of the virus, it is capable of limited human-to-human transmission. The couple—aged 70 and 69—are believed to have contracted the infection during their travels prior to boarding the ship, and their cases have been linked to the fatalities reported on board.
Planned evacuation and next steps
According to the current timeline, the 14 Spanish passengers—who are reportedly asymptomatic—are expected to be transferred to Madrid on Monday via a military aircraft, where they will undergo further monitoring and possible isolation measures.
However, with differing positions between ministries, unresolved logistical details and mounting regional concern, the coming hours will be critical in determining how the situation is managed. The priority remains to ensure a controlled and secure operation that minimises any potential risk to public health while addressing the concerns of both local authorities and emergency personnel.
