Hantavirus.watch
● MV Hondius leaves Cape Verde for Canary Islands● 146 people remain on board, 22 Britons● 3 confirmed deaths from Andes-strain hantavirus● WHO: risk to wider public is low● Spain to quarantine repatriated nationals in Madrid
● MV Hondius leaves Cape Verde for Canary Islands● 146 people remain on board, 22 Britons● 3 confirmed deaths from Andes-strain hantavirus● WHO: risk to wider public is low● Spain to quarantine repatriated nationals in Madrid

Timeline

How the MV Hondius outbreak unfolded

From a routine expedition departure in Argentina to a multinational medical evacuation in the Atlantic.

  1. 1 April

    MV Hondius departs Argentina

    The expedition cruise ship leaves on a long voyage that will eventually cross the Atlantic toward Europe.

  2. Mid-voyage

    Two passengers leave at St Helena

    Two British passengers disembark at St Helena and fly home via Johannesburg, before the outbreak is known.

  3. Late April

    First illness reported on board

    Passengers begin showing symptoms. The captain tells those on board the ship is 'not infectious' after the first death.

  4. Early May

    Andes-strain hantavirus identified

    Testing identifies the Andes strain. The ship diverts toward Cape Verde and a major international response begins.

  5. Today

    Three patients evacuated by air ambulance

    British, Dutch and German patients are flown off the ship. One plane lands in Amsterdam; the other diverts to Gran Canaria after an electrical fault.

  6. Today

    Hondius leaves Cape Verde for the Canary Islands

    Spain plans to dock the ship in Tenerife. Spaniards will be quarantined in Madrid; non-Spaniards without symptoms will be flown home.