Health authorities rule out significant mutations in cruise ship hantavirus after initial analysis
The Spanish Health Minister, Mónica García, announced that the first genetic analyses of the hantavirus detected on the cruise ship MH Hondius have confirmed it is the already‑known Andes variant and have found no relevant mutations.
In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, García provided the latest details about the outbreak, which continues to be anchored off the port of Granadilla.
“The investigation helps reconstruct how transmission occurred and strengthens epidemiological monitoring.”
Situation on the Ship
- 54 people remain on board.
- 28 are scheduled to disembark this afternoon in the Canary Islands to fly to their countries of origin.
- The remaining 26 will stay on the vessel as it sails toward the Netherlands.
Spanish Patients in Quarantine
Fourteen Spanish nationals have been admitted to Hospital Gómez Ulla in Madrid to complete a quarantine period.
“They have already had their PCR tests done, and we expect to know the results today,” the Health Minister explained.
Virus Profile
The Andes strain, identified in six of the confirmed cases on the ship according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is the predominant hantavirus in Chile and Argentina. Human‑to‑human transmission of this strain is considered limited.
Role of the Media
García also highlighted the presence of around 400 journalists worldwide accredited to cover the Hondius operation, stating:
“In a health crisis, every journalist who reports rigorously is a public‑health agent.”