Second Spanish passenger from MV Hondius tests positive for hantavirus in Madrid hospital

Spain's Ministry of Health confirmed a second case of hantavirus among the 14 Spanish passengers evacuated from the cruise ship MV Hondius. The patient, who remains asymptomatic, was identified as a close contact during routine PCR testing and has been transferred to the High‑Level Isolation Unit (UATAN) at the Gomez Ulla Central Defence Hospital in Madrid.

The case is part of the ongoing quarantine of the Spanish nationals after an outbreak on the MV Hondius that has so far caused three deaths and a total of 13 confirmed infections among passengers and crew. Authorities stressed that the detection occurred within the established isolation and control system and does not alter the risk level for the general population nor change existing epidemiological response measures.