Spain confirms imported hantavirus case linked to cruise ship outbreak

A Spanish national has tested positive for hantavirus after returning from a cruise ship on which an outbreak of the disease occurred, according to Spain’s health authorities.

The patient, who recently travelled on the cruise vessel MV Hondius during a voyage to southern Argentina, is currently in isolation at a hospital in Madrid and is not showing any symptoms, Health Minister Mónica García Gómez said in a post on X.

Thirteen other Spanish passengers who were also on board the same vessel have tested negative for the virus.

In total, 14 Spanish citizens were among those who travelled on the cruise ship, where a fatal outbreak of infection was reported during the voyage.

The vessel arrived in the Canary Islands on 10 May, after which passengers were evacuated and returned to their respective countries for further medical monitoring.

Health authorities continue to monitor all individuals who were on board as a precautionary measure.