MADRID, Spain — May 11, 2026
Amid growing concerns over a hantavirus outbreak linked to the luxury expedition cruise ship MV Hondius, the Indian Embassy in Spain has confirmed that the two Indian nationals onboard are safe, healthy and showing no signs of infection.
The embassy said Sunday that both Indian crew members have been safely transferred to the Netherlands as a precautionary measure under international health protocols.
The vessel, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, arrived in Spain’s Canary Islands after reports of hantavirus infections emerged during the voyage.
Passengers Moved Under WHO Health Protocols
According to the Indian Embassy, all passengers and crew were disembarked following safety procedures established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Spanish health authorities.
The two Indian citizens have been placed under precautionary quarantine in the Netherlands, although officials confirmed neither individual has developed symptoms associated with the virus.
India’s Ambassador to Spain, Jayant N. Khobragade, is reportedly in continuous contact with Spanish authorities and the Indian nationals to monitor their health and safety.
The cruise had departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1 before docking at the Canary Islands after the health alert was raised.
Around 150 people were onboard the ship, including the two Indian crew members.
WHO Assessing Potential Infection Risks
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said WHO teams are working alongside Spain’s Ministry of Health to evaluate possible infection risks and conduct passenger health screenings.
Authorities also arranged special charter flights to transport travelers safely to designated destinations.
Officials said extensive sanitization measures were carried out throughout the operation, including disinfection of the vessel and passenger belongings. Medical teams handling the evacuation reportedly used enhanced protective equipment during the process.
Health authorities stated that, at present, all monitored passengers remain asymptomatic.
WHO Issues Hantavirus Monitoring Guidelines
The WHO has also released updated guidance regarding passengers and contacts linked to the MV Hondius outbreak.
In a public advisory shared on social media platform X, the organization urged member countries to monitor individuals connected to the ship based on risk exposure assessments.
According to the WHO, limited human-to-human transmission has been documented in rare cases involving the Andes virus (ANDV), though such transmission generally occurs only after prolonged and close contact.
WHO data showed that, as of May 8, eight hantavirus cases had been identified in connection with the outbreak, including three fatalities.
Laboratory testing reportedly confirmed Andes virus infection in six of the cases.
Indian Experts Say No Immediate Cause for Panic
The reports have sparked concern in India, but public health experts said there is currently no evidence of community spread within the country.
Dr. Naveen Kumar, Director of the ICMR-National Institute of Virology in Pune, said the cases appear to be isolated imported infections rather than signs of a wider outbreak.
He explained that hantavirus is primarily transmitted through exposure to infected rodents or contact with their saliva, urine or droppings.
Human-to-human transmission remains extremely rare, experts said, and there is no indication at this stage of a large-scale public health threat in India.
What Is Hantavirus?
Hantavirus is a potentially serious viral disease usually spread through exposure to infected rodents and contaminated environments.
The virus can become airborne in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces such as ships, warehouses and storage facilities, allowing microscopic particles to enter the human body through inhalation.
Health experts say symptoms may appear anywhere from one to eight weeks after exposure.
According to reports, at least five passengers who disembarked from the ship have tested positive for hantavirus infection, while three deaths linked to the outbreak have been reported so far.
