Spanish Passenger from MV Hondius Tests Positive for Hantavirus

A Spanish national who was evacuated from the cruise ship MV Hondius has tested positive for hantavirus while in quarantine at a military hospital in Madrid. This marks the second confirmed case among the 14 Spanish passengers from the vessel.

Key points

• The patient has been transferred to the High-Level Isolation Unit (UATAN) at the Gomez Ulla Hospital.
• Health authorities confirmed that the case does not increase the risk to the general population as the individual was already in isolation.
• The outbreak on the MV Hondius, which originated in Argentina, has resulted in 13 total confirmed or suspected cases, including three deaths.
• The virus identified is the Andes strain, which is noted for its potential for human-to-human transmission.

Why it matters

The incident highlights ongoing public health concerns regarding the Andes strain of hantavirus, which is the only known variant capable of being transmitted between humans.