Ireland Evacuates Citizens From Ship With Hantavirus Outbreak

Ireland is sending a special plane to bring two citizens home from the MV Hondius ship. This ship had a hantavirus outbreak with three people dying.
By Newsroom | Health, Travel |

DUBLIN - A government-chartered plane is en route to repatriate two Irish nationals from the MV Hondius, a cruise ship currently docked in Tenerife following a hantavirus outbreak that has claimed three lives. The Department of Health confirmed on Saturday that plans are in place to bring the citizens home, where they will undergo assessment and certification of their health upon arrival.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) stated on Saturday that there are no symptomatic passengers currently on board the MV Hondius. Public health protocols are to be rigorously applied once the vessel docks, ensuring thorough health evaluations of all passengers disembarking. Both the WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have indicated that the risk posed by the hantavirus outbreak to the broader public is minimal.

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Passenger Evacuations Underway

The MV Hondius arrived at the port of Granadilla in Tenerife in the early hours of Sunday, over a month after the first reported death aboard. Passengers from various nations, including Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and Greece, have already begun disembarking and are being flown to their home countries. Further evacuations for citizens of Turkey, France, the UK, and the US are anticipated.

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Thirty crew members are slated to remain with the ship as it sails to the Netherlands, where it will undergo a comprehensive disinfection process. Luggage and the remains of a deceased passenger will be handled separately, remaining on board for subsequent management.

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Hantavirus Outbreak Details

The hantavirus outbreak has been linked to three fatalities among passengers on the Dutch-flagged vessel. The WHO initially reported eight suspected cases, with six confirmed. A WHO expert is reportedly present on the ship.

Read More: Tenerife: Hantavirus Ship Evacuation Begins for 146 Passengers

While the risk to the general population is deemed low, all passengers on the MV Hondius are being treated as high-risk contacts as a precautionary measure, according to Europe's public health agency. The ship departed from the coast of Cape Verde earlier this week, reportedly at the request of the WHO and the European Union, to facilitate the passenger evacuation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is Ireland sending a plane to Tenerife for citizens on the MV Hondius?
Ireland is sending a government plane to bring two Irish citizens home from the MV Hondius ship. This is because of a hantavirus outbreak on the ship that has caused three deaths.
Q: Are there still sick people on the MV Hondius ship?
No, the World Health Organization said there are no passengers with symptoms on the ship now. All passengers will be checked carefully when they leave the ship.
Q: What happened to the MV Hondius ship after passengers left?
Thirty crew members will stay on the ship as it goes to the Netherlands. The ship will be cleaned very well there. Luggage and the body of one person who died will stay on the ship.
Q: How many people got sick from the hantavirus on the MV Hondius?
Three people died from the hantavirus on the ship. The World Health Organization first heard about eight possible cases, and six were confirmed.