Evacuation begins in Tenerife after hantavirus outbreak on MV Hondius

Passengers and part of the crew began evacuating from MV Hondius in Tenerife. The ship arrived there after a deadly hantavirus outbreak.

People were placed on special flights back to their home countries. From there, they were expected to isolate under national rules.

How the evacuation is unfolding

Planes carrying Spanish and French passengers already landed in Madrid and Paris. The evacuees were taken straight to hospitals.

During one repatriation flight, a French passenger developed symptoms. French officials confirmed the case later that day.

Flights were also scheduled for Canada, the Netherlands, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Ireland and the United States. The operation was expected to finish by the evening of May 11.

What WHO is advising

The World Health Organization recommended a 42-day quarantine for all passengers. That period started counting from May 10.

Spain said its passengers would stay in hospital for the full period. France planned 72 hours in hospital followed by home isolation.

What is known about the outbreak

According to WHO, the first passenger who died may have been infected before boarding. Officials believe the exposure may have happened during travel in Argentina and Chile.

By Friday, eight people who were no longer on the ship had fallen ill. Six of those cases had already been confirmed.

Three people died - a Dutch couple and a German national. Four other patients remained hospitalized in South Africa, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

• WHO quarantine advice - 42 days
• Confirmed cases at that stage - 6
• Total sick people off the ship - 8
• Deaths - 3

Key figures on May 10

Spanish officials also stressed that no rodents were found on board. That matters because rodents are usually seen as the main carriers of hantavirus.

Passengers were moved to shore by small boats and then military buses. Officials tried to prevent any contact with the wider public.