Passengers have started disembarking from the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship, MV Hondius, in Spain's Canary Islands and are being evacuated t…
The hantavirus-stricken cruise ship, MV Hondius, has more than 140 passengers and crewmembers on board.
A hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has sparked fear among Spanish passengers, not from illness, but from potential stigma upon returning home. Sensational news and memes have fueled anxiety, with many joking online about the ship being sunk. The World Health Organization emphasizes that hantavirus is not like COVID-19 and poses low public risk. However, some Spanish politicians express concern. Despite the ordeal, two Spanish passengers interviewed by The Associated Press remain optimistic about future cruises, viewing the event as a rare misfortune.