Spain confirms new Hanta virus case linked to cruise ship

Spanish health authorities confirmed a new case of Hanta virus infection on Monday in a Spanish national evacuated from a cruise ship where the virus had previously spread. The patient has been placed in quarantine at the Madrid hospital Gómez Ulla.

This marks the second confirmed case among 14 Spanish citizens who were evacuated to Tenerife from the luxury cruise ship Hondius. The vessel, carrying nearly 150 passengers and crew from 23 countries, reported cases of acute respiratory illness on May 2. The World Health Organization was notified shortly thereafter.

The Ministry of Health stated that the new case was detected among individuals already under quarantine measures. They emphasized that this development "does not change the risk level" for the general population. Spanish health authorities continue to monitor the evacuated individuals to prevent further spread of the virus.

Hanta virus is a rare viral disease that can cause severe respiratory or kidney complications. Transmission to humans typically occurs through contact with infected rodents or their droppings.

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This situation “does not modify the level of risk” for the entire population.