Hantavirus-Stricken Cruise Ship Docks in Tenerife; Spanish Passengers to Evacuate First

Spanish Health Minister Mónica García spoke to reporters at the port of Granadilla de Abona in Tenerife after the hantavirus-stricken MV Hondius docked there Sunday.

All 146 passengers from 20 nationalities on the ship remain asymptomatic, García said. The vessel arrived almost a month after the first passenger died from the rodent-borne disease, with three deaths total from the outbreak.

"The last flight of the entire procedure is scheduled for tomorrow, which is the flight to Australia," she told the press. The ship's 14 Spaniards will leave first, followed by a Dutch flight carrying citizens from Germany, Belgium, Greece and part of the crew, she said.

Separate flights for Canadian, Turkish, French, British, Irish and US citizens are planned for Sunday, García added. She confirmed the passengers are undergoing final medical assessments before disembarkation and that all repatriation flights will depart by tomorrow.

"The anchoring has been a success despite all the difficulties," García said after intensive preparations at the port over recent days. Passengers and crew disembarking will have no contact with Tenerife's local population, authorities said. Health officials stressed the risk of contagion to the general population remains low.

Nationalities on board included the UK, the US, Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, the Philippines and Singapore.