The virus-hit cruise ship MS Hondius has departed from Cape Verde as authorities continue efforts to manage a hantavirus outbreak linked to the vessel, according to local reports and European health officials.

The ship, carrying 146 passengers and crew members, including 22 British nationals, has been at the center of growing international concern after multiple infections and three confirmed deaths were reported during the voyage.

The crisis has also triggered political tensions in Spain after the president of the Canary Islands publicly opposed plans by the Spanish government to allow the vessel to dock in Tenerife.

Regional officials expressed concern over the potential public health risks, while Spain’s central government insisted that strict medical protocols and quarantine measures would make the operation safe.

Spanish health authorities stated that passengers showing no symptoms would either be repatriated to their home countries or transferred under controlled conditions. Spanish nationals are expected to undergo quarantine in Madrid, while foreign passengers without symptoms will reportedly be allowed to return home under monitoring procedures.

Earlier, three passengers requiring medical attention were evacuated from the ship aboard specialized air ambulances. According to Dutch officials, the evacuees are citizens of the United Kingdom, Netherlands, and Germany.

One of the medical evacuation flights successfully landed in Amsterdam, while another was diverted to Gran Canaria after a technical issue was reported during the journey.

Spanish officials initially identified the British evacuee as a doctor, though later reports indicated this information was inaccurate.

Health authorities believe the outbreak aboard the Hondius involves hantavirus, a rare but potentially deadly disease typically spread through contact with rodents or their droppings. Experts stress that person-to-person transmission of the identified strain is considered extremely rare.

The Hondius departed from Argentina on April 1 as part of an expedition cruise before the outbreak was detected.

Passengers remaining on board reportedly are not currently showing symptoms, according to Spain’s health ministry. However, medical teams continue monitoring the situation closely due to concerns about delayed symptom development associated with hantavirus infections.

European health agencies and maritime authorities are continuing to coordinate response efforts as the vessel proceeds under medical supervision. Additional screening and tracing measures have reportedly been introduced for passengers and crew who may have had close contact with infected individuals.

Public health experts have emphasized that while hantavirus outbreaks on ships are unusual, the risk of widespread transmission remains relatively low if containment measures are properly followed.

The incident has renewed attention on health protocols aboard international cruise vessels, particularly in isolated expedition routes where rapid medical intervention can be difficult. (ILKHA)