May 9th, 2026 - Passengers Aboard Hantavirus Hit Cruise Ship Set to Disembark in Tenerife

The MV Hondius, which has been at the center of a deadly hantavirus outbreak, is expected to arrive in Tenerife on Sunday morning so passengers can begin disembarking. Spanish officials said passengers will leave the ship in stages, with Spanish citizens departing first before travelers from other countries are evacuated on specially arranged flights. World Health Organization officials said strict safety measures are being put in place to prevent any additional spread of the virus.

Several countries, including Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, and the United States, are sending aircraft to bring home their citizens. European Union flights will transport passengers from other European countries, while Dutch authorities will assist travelers whose governments cannot arrange evacuations. Officials emphasized that all passengers will be moved through secure corridors away from the public before returning to their home countries.

Health authorities said none of the 147 people currently on board are showing symptoms, though passengers will continue to be monitored after returning home. U.S. passengers who remain on the ship are expected to be flown to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for observation and health assessments. Officials stressed that the overall public health risk remains low and noted that asymptomatic people are not believed to spread the virus.

Investigators have confirmed that the outbreak involves the Andes strain of hantavirus, the only known form capable of spreading between people. The virus can cause symptoms including fever, body aches, and breathing difficulties, and severe cases may lead to lung or heart failure. Health officials continue to investigate the outbreak while reassuring residents in Tenerife that the situation is being carefully controlled.

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster) - Gallivant (verb, GAL-uh-vant) - To gallivant is to go or travel to many different places for pleasure. Gallivant is a somewhat informal word that is often applied when the user of the word does not approve of such pleasurable traveling.

Example: They’ve been gallivanting all over town instead of studying for their finals.

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