Month: May 2026

A large-scale medical response is underway after passengers aboard the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius were exposed to the Andes strain of hantavirus, a rare and potentially deadly virus linked to an outbreak during the vessel’s South American voyage.

The evacuation effort concluded Monday in Tenerife, Spain, where the final passengers and several crew members safely left the ship after strong winds briefly delayed disembarkation. Those remaining onboard began the ship’s final journey to Rotterdam, Netherlands, where the vessel will undergo deep cleaning and disinfection with a reduced crew.

Among those evacuated were 18 people transported to the United States for monitoring and treatment. Sixteen are being cared for at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, while two others — a couple transferred to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta — are being treated in specialized biocontainment units after one developed symptoms. The Department of Health and Human Services said one patient in Nebraska has tested ‘mildly positive’ for the virus and is under close observation, while the remaining passengers continue in quarantine as health teams conduct medical evaluations.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said some individuals may eventually complete the recommended 42-day monitoring period at home if they remain symptom-free and can safely isolate while staying in contact with health authorities. “First and foremost, do they remain symptom free,” CDC official Dr. Brendan Jackson said while explaining how decisions on release from quarantine will be made. Health officials emphasized that each case will be assessed individually, taking into account access to testing, medical care and local public health oversight.

The outbreak has so far been linked to six confirmed cases and two probable infections, including two deaths. The voyage began April 1 in Ushuaia, Argentina, but the outbreak was not formally identified until May 2, weeks after the first passenger became ill and later died. Before reaching Spain’s Canary Islands, the ship had previously stopped near Cape Verde, where several infected or symptomatic passengers were removed by emergency evacuation flights. Passengers and crew from nearly two dozen countries were ultimately repatriated through a coordinated international operation involving local authorities, the World Health Organization and multiple governments.

Officials in New York confirmed that three state residents — from New York City, Orange County and Westchester County — are among those currently being monitored in Nebraska. Gov. Kathy Hochul said state agencies are preparing for any possible developments, though she stressed there is currently no immediate threat to the public “At this point, it is important to emphasize that there is no immediate risk to the public,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said.

The situation has drawn increased attention because the virus involved is the Andes strain of hantavirus, a rare variant primarily found in South America. Unlike most hantaviruses, which typically spread from rodents to humans, the Andes strain is the only known version capable of person-to-person transmission. “The Andes strain has been increasing recently as rodents migrate north toward Buenos Aires in hot, wet climate conditions,” Dr. Marc Siegel said. “It is predominately a rodent virus – current sequencing shows no mutations so far.”

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Iran has delivered its response to the latest U.S. ceasefire proposal through Pakistani mediators, according to Iranian state media, as diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing Middle East conflict continue. Tehran reportedly wants negotiations to prioritize a permanent end to the fighting across the region, including in Lebanon, while broader issues such as its nuclear program could be addressed later.

The proposal from Washington focused on several key demands, including restoring shipping access through the Strait of Hormuz and limiting Iran’s nuclear activities. Iranian officials, however, appear more focused on securing a long-term halt to military operations before moving deeper into nuclear negotiations.

President Trump later called Iran’s response to the ceasefire proposal “totally unacceptable.” He wrote: “I have just read the response from Iran’s so-called “Representatives.” I don’t like it — TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE! ” Mr. Trump did not provide further details on what issues he had with the response, or what would come next.

Diplomatic activity intensified over the weekend as Qatar’s prime minister met in Miami with U.S. officials including Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vice President JD Vance. Discussions reportedly centered on finding a path toward ending the conflict.

Despite the negotiations, military tensions remain high. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned they would strike U.S. positions in the Middle East if Iranian oil tankers continue to be targeted. The warning followed reports that U.S. forces intercepted two Iran-flagged tankers attempting to dock at an Iranian port in violation of the American naval blockade.

President Donald Trump sharply criticized Iran and previous U.S. administrations in a series of social media posts, accusing Tehran of deceiving the United States for decades. Referring to former President Barack Obama’s nuclear agreement with Iran, Trump claimed the deal strengthened the Iranian government and weakened American allies in the region.

Meanwhile, officials on both sides acknowledged that negotiations are still underway, though progress has been slow. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the U.S. continues to wait for a “clear resolution” from Tehran, stressing that Washington’s main goals are reopening the Strait of Hormuz to unrestricted shipping and ending Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Iran also warned against possible European involvement in future maritime security missions. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said any French or British naval cooperation with U.S. actions in the Strait of Hormuz would face an “immediate response” from Iranian forces. French President Emmanuel Macron later clarified that any future international operation would focus on protecting commercial shipping rather than military escalation.

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Passengers aboard the MV Hondius began leaving the ship Sunday after it arrived near Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands, as authorities launched an international evacuation effort tied to a deadly hantavirus outbreak. Travelers were transferred ashore in small, carefully controlled groups before boarding charter flights back to their home countries. Officials from the WHO and Spain’s government supervised the evacuation, with workers and passengers wearing masks, respirators, hazmat suits, and other protective gear throughout the operation.

Health officials said all passengers were screened upon arrival and initially appeared symptom-free. However, French officials later confirmed that one passenger began showing possible hantavirus symptoms during a repatriation flight. The individual, along with four other French evacuees, was immediately placed into strict isolation for testing and monitoring.

At least nine confirmed or suspected hantavirus infections have now been linked to the cruise, including three deaths — a Dutch couple and a German woman. Two fatalities occurred onboard, while another passenger died after being transferred to a clinic in South Africa.

Spanish Health Minister Mónica García said the evacuation process was proceeding smoothly, with passengers being flown to countries including Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Turkey, Ireland, and the United States. Authorities emphasized that evacuees were kept separated from the public throughout the operation, with medical tents, protective equipment, and specially arranged transportation used at Tenerife’s Granadilla port.

Investigators believe the outbreak likely began after exposure to infected rodents in northern Argentina or Chile, where the long-tailed rice rat — known to carry the Andes strain — is common. Some early patients had reportedly traveled through that region before boarding the ship.  The World Health Organization has repeatedly stressed that the overall risk to the public remains low. WHO epidemiologist Dr. Boris Pavlin explained that the virus involved is the Andes strain of hantavirus, a rare variant capable of limited person-to-person transmission through very close contact. “This is not COVID, this is not passing someone in a hallway in an airport outside at a stadium and getting infected,” Pavlin said.

The outbreak was first reported to the WHO on May 2, weeks after the ship departed Ushuaia, Argentina. At the time, the vessel carried roughly 150 passengers and crew members from more than 15 countries. The average passenger age was reported to be around 65, a demographic considered more vulnerable to severe illness from hantavirus, which can carry a fatality rate of up to 50%.

Canadian passengers are expected to self-isolate for at least 21 days, while French evacuees will undergo hospital monitoring before completing extended quarantine periods at home. U.S. passengers — including 17 Americans — are being flown to Nebraska, where they will be monitored at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s specialized biocontainment unit.

Once all passengers are removed, a reduced crew will sail the Dutch-operated vessel to Rotterdam for disinfection. The body of one passenger who died onboard will remain on the ship during the journey.

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