Two Indian nationals travelling as crew members aboard the Dutch-flagged vessel MV Hondius have been evacuated to the Netherlands for quarantine after the ship was linked to a Hantavirus outbreak and anchored near Spain’s Canary Islands, according to the Embassy of India in Madrid.
In an official press release issued on May 10, the Embassy confirmed that the vessel, carrying nearly 150 people including the two Indians, arrived off the coast of the Canary Islands amid health concerns related to a reported Hantavirus outbreak onboard.
The Embassy stated that all passengers and crew members disembarked in accordance with protocols established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Spanish authorities. The operation was coordinated with Spain’s National Center for Emergency Monitoring and Coordination (CENEM), which has been overseeing the emergency response.
According to the statement, the two Indian nationals are “healthy and asymptomatic.” Spanish authorities informed the Embassy that both individuals were evacuated to the Netherlands, where they will remain under quarantine in line with international health safety procedures.
The Indian Embassy in Madrid said the Ambassador remains in close contact with Spanish authorities as well as the affected Indian nationals and is continuously monitoring the situation to ensure their well-being and safety.
The MV Hondius is a polar expedition cruise vessel operated under the Dutch flag and is known for conducting voyages in remote regions. Authorities have not yet released detailed information regarding the number of suspected infections onboard or the exact origin of the reported Hantavirus exposure.
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious viral disease primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their droppings. Symptoms can initially resemble flu-like illness and, in severe cases, may lead to respiratory complications, according to global public health agencies. Health authorities generally recommend isolation and observation measures in suspected outbreak situations to prevent wider transmission.
Spanish authorities have not announced any broader public health threat linked to the vessel at this stage. The Indian Embassy also stressed that the Indian crew members currently show no symptoms related to the outbreak.
The incident has drawn attention amid heightened global monitoring of infectious disease outbreaks and maritime health safety measures. Officials from Spain, the Netherlands and the cruise operator are continuing coordination regarding quarantine and passenger management procedures.
The Embassy’s statement was released on Saturday evening and remains the latest official update on the condition of the Indian nationals onboard the MV Hondius.