Passengers aboard the MV Hondius, an expedition cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak, began disembarking in Tenerife on May 10 under a coordinated international repatriation plan led by the World Health Organization. The ship arrived at the industrial port of Granadilla, far from residential areas, with passengers leaving in small, sealed groups via Zodiac or launch boats before being transferred directly to waiting aircraft. The WHO emphasized that Tenerife residents would not encounter evacuees, aiming to ease public concern.

The outbreak has been linked to at least eight illnesses and three deaths: a Dutch couple and a German national. Six cases are confirmed Andes strain hantavirus infections, while two remain suspected. No passengers currently show symptoms, and a WHO expert remains on board to monitor the situation. Repatriation flights are being organized for travelers from over 20 countries.

American passengers will be taken to the National Quarantine Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where they will undergo a 42-day observation period. The CDC will conduct exposure assessments and medical monitoring. The MV Hondius will later sail to Rotterdam with about 30 crew members; luggage will be returned separately. The operation underscores a shift from pandemic-era chaos to a more structured global health response.