- By Chetna Shree
- Sun, 10 May 2026 11:43 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
- Two Indian nationals on MV Hondius healthy, asymptomatic.
- Evacuated to Netherlands for health safety quarantine.
- WHO recommends 42-day quarantine for all passengers.
Hantavirus Outbreak: The Indian Embassy in Spain on Sunday said that the two Indian nationals aboard the Hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius are 'healthy and asymptomatic'.
Both individuals, who were travelling as crew members, have been evacuated to the Netherlands, where they will be quarantined under relevant health safety protocols.
In a statement released on X(formerly Twitter), the embassy said, "The 02 Indian nationals are healthy and asymptomatic. As informed by the Spanish National Centre for Emergency Monitoring and Coordination (CENEM), the 02 Indian nationals, who were travelling as crew members, have been evacuated to the Netherlands, where they will be quarantined as per relevant health safety protocol."
Press Release on 2 Indian nationals onboard the MV Hondius vessel
— India in Spain (@IndiainSpain) May 10, 2026
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Comunicado de prensa sobre dos ciudadanos indios a bordo del buque MV Hondius@MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @PIB_India @AmbSibiGeorge pic.twitter.com/hbfdCZTmW5
The embassy further stated that the ambassador is in close contact with the Spanish authorities and the two Indian nationals and is regularly monitoring the situation to ensure the well-being and safety of Indian nationals.
The embassy said that the Dutch-flagged vessel MV Hondius, carrying approximately 150 individuals, including the two Indian nationals, arrived in Spain on Sunday.
WHO Recommends 42-Day Quarantine For All Passengers
In a briefing, Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's director of epidemic and pandemic management, recommended a 42-day quarantine for all individuals from the vessel, starting Sunday.
Spanish passengers will be hospitalised for the full 42 days, while French passengers will be hospitalised for 72 hours followed by an additional 45 days of self-isolation at home.
"Our recommendation is daily health checks, at home or in a specialised facility. It's up to countries to develop their policies, but our recommendations are very clear," Van Kerkhove was quoted as saying.
Hantavirus Outbreak
A hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship has claimed the lives of three individuals, and according to the Associated Press, five passengers who previously disembarked have also tested positive. Spanish authorities stated that over 90 of nearly 150 passengers will be evacuated from the Canary Islands by the end of Sunday.
Additionally, passengers and crew members disembarking are required to leave their luggage behind and carry only essential items, mobile devices and documentation. While much of the ship is being cleared, some crew members and the body of a passenger who died on board will remain on the ship, which will sail on to Rotterdam, Netherlands, where it will undergo disinfection, Live Mint reported.
Meanwhile, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has reiterated that the general public should not worry or panic about the outbreak.
"We have been repeating the same answer many times. This is not another COVID. And the risk to the public is low. So they shouldn’t be scared, and they shouldn’t panic,” he was quoted as saying.
(With Inputs From Agencies)
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