Spanish nationals fly from Tenerife to Madrid for quarantine
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 10
Spanish nationals fly from Tenerife to Madrid for quarantine
13 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 10
The first plane carried 13 passengers and one crew member from the MV Hondius to a military hospital in Madrid after health checks off Spain's Canary Islands.
Spanish authorities said all passengers were asymptomatic and the evacuation was proceeding as planned, with French, Canadian, Dutch, British, Turkish, Irish and US travellers due to disembark next.
The operation follows a deadly hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship, prompting testing before passengers are taken ashore and flown to their home countries for quarantine or monitoring.
After a fatal outbreak on a luxury cruise, will remote expedition travel ever be considered safe again?
With dozens of passengers untracked, is a global hantavirus spread the next public health crisis?
Spain’s 45-Day Quarantine and Global Response to the 2026 MV Hondius Hantavirus Outbreak: Lessons for Future Travel and Public Health
Overview
In response to the hantavirus outbreak detected on the MV Hondius expedition ship, Spain quickly enforced strict quarantine and medical protocols under the guidance of the World Health Organization. As of May 10, 2026, all passengers remain asymptomatic, but Spanish authorities are taking unprecedented safety measures to prevent any spread. The European Commission has assessed the risk to the general population as low, reflecting the effectiveness of Spain’s immediate actions. This coordinated response highlights Spain’s commitment to public health and international cooperation, ensuring both safety and reassurance for its citizens and the broader community.