US and French authorities have confirmed new hantavirus cases among passengers repatriated from the cruise ship MV Hondius, which has been linked to a deadly outbreak near Spain’s Canary Islands.
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, one American passenger tested positive for the virus after returning home. Another US passenger has also developed mild symptoms. Officials said both individuals travelled in special biocontainment units as a precaution.
In France, Health Minister Stéphanie Rist confirmed that a French woman isolating in Paris had tested positive and that her condition was worsening. French health authorities have already traced 22 people who had close contact with her.
The MV Hondius remains docked in the Canary Islands while international evacuation and repatriation operations continue. More than 90 passengers have now left the vessel and returned to their home countries under medical supervision.
Three passengers who travelled on the ship have died, including a Dutch couple and a German woman. Two of the deaths were officially linked to hantavirus infection.
Health experts believe some passengers contracted the Andes strain of hantavirus during a South American trip before boarding the cruise. Unlike most hantaviruses, the Andes strain can spread between humans in rare situations.
Symptoms of the disease include fever, severe fatigue, muscle pain, stomach problems, vomiting, diarrhoea and breathing difficulties.
Despite the new infections, international health officials continue to stress that the risk of a large-scale outbreak remains low.
All 17 American citizens repatriated from the ship are expected to undergo medical assessments at a specialised health facility in Nebraska. Seven other Americans who had already returned earlier are also being monitored.
World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has recommended a 42-day isolation period for passengers leaving the MV Hondius.
In the UK, 20 British passengers have been placed in quarantine after arriving from Tenerife. No symptoms have been reported among them so far.
About the author
Dua Lipa Files $15m Lawsuit Against Samsung
Pop star Dua Lipa has filed a lawsuit against Samsung, accusing the technology giant of using her image on television packaging in the United States without authorization. The complaint, filed in a California federal court, seeks $15m (£11m) in damages and alleges copyright infringement, trademark infringement and unlawful use of the singer’s likeness. According to court documents, Samsung allegedly displayed a photograph of Dua Lipa’s face on packaging for several television models sold across the US. The singer’s legal team claims the company attempted to benefit commercially from her popularity and public image to boost product sales. The disputed image was reportedly taken during Dua Lipa’s performance at the 2024 Austin City Limits Festival, with the lawsuit stating that the singer owns the copyright to the photograph. Legal filings indicate that Dua Lipa became aware of the issue in June […]
Thaksin Released as Thai Politics Shifts
Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been released from prison after spending eight months behind bars, marking another dramatic chapter in Thailand’s turbulent political history. The 76-year-old left Bangkok’s Klong Prem prison on Monday to cheers from hundreds of supporters dressed in red, the symbolic colour of his political movement. Wearing a white shirt and appearing relaxed, Thaksin told reporters he was in good health and felt relieved after his release. Family members welcomed him outside the prison, including his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who remains one of the leading figures of the Pheu Thai party. Thaksin’s release immediately reignited debate about his future influence in Thai politics, despite repeated claims from Pheu Thai officials that he plans to stay out of active political life. A billionaire businessman turned politician, Thaksin dominated Thailand’s political landscape after becoming prime minister in […]
Le PNUD soutient 11 coopératives agricoles
Le Programme des Nations unies pour le développement (PNUD) a remis un important lot d’équipements à 11 coopératives agricoles installées dans les régions Maritime et Kara afin de renforcer leurs activités de production et de transformation. La cérémonie de remise s’est tenue à Lomé à la fin de la semaine dernière. Le matériel distribué représente un investissement global estimé à 271 millions FCFA. Les coopératives bénéficiaires, dont neuf situées dans la région Maritime et deux dans la Kara, regroupent près de 300 membres engagés dans plusieurs secteurs agricoles et artisanaux à fort potentiel économique. Cette action entre dans le cadre du Projet d’appui à l’entrepreneuriat et au développement des opportunités dans les chaînes de valeur. Le programme soutient les priorités nationales liées au développement local et à l’inclusion économique. Les équipements fournis concernent plusieurs domaines d’activités. Ils comprennent du matériel […]
Ushuaia Faces Questions Over Hantavirus Outbreak
The southern Argentine city of Ushuaia, often promoted as the “End of the World” and a gateway to Antarctica, is facing growing international attention following the deadly hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius. The vessel, currently anchored near Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands, began its journey from Ushuaia on 1 April with 114 passengers and 61 crew members from 22 countries onboard. Since then, several infections and deaths linked to the Andes strain of hantavirus have been reported among passengers. Although investigators suspect the virus may have been contracted before the cruise departed, the exact source of the outbreak remains unclear. One leading theory points to a landfill site outside Ushuaia that attracts rodents and is frequently visited by tourists interested in birdwatching. Local authorities, however, strongly reject the idea that Tierra del Fuego province was the […]
New hantavirus cases linked to cruise ship
US and French authorities have confirmed new hantavirus cases among passengers repatriated from the cruise ship MV Hondius, which has been linked to a deadly outbreak near Spain’s Canary Islands. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, one American passenger tested positive for the virus after returning home. Another US passenger has also developed mild symptoms. Officials said both individuals travelled in special biocontainment units as a precaution. In France, Health Minister Stéphanie Rist confirmed that a French woman isolating in Paris had tested positive and that her condition was worsening. French health authorities have already traced 22 people who had close contact with her. The MV Hondius remains docked in the Canary Islands while international evacuation and repatriation operations continue. More than 90 passengers have now left the vessel and returned to their home countries under […]
Treize détenus en grève de la faim à Lomé
Treize détenus maintenus en prison malgré une décision de justice ont entamé une grève de la faim à la prison civile de Lomé. Cette action, lancée le 10 mai 2026, intervient près de trois mois après un arrêt de la Cour d’appel ordonnant leur libération. La Chambre d’Instruction de la Cour d’appel de Lomé avait pourtant rendu, le 18 février 2026, l’arrêt N°040/2026 demandant la remise en liberté de treize personnes, dont Adam Latif et Allés Atti. Malgré cette décision judiciaire, les concernés restent détenus. Face à cette situation, les prisonniers ont décidé de recourir à la grève de la faim pour dénoncer ce qu’ils considèrent comme une détention arbitraire prolongée. Le président de l’Association des Victimes de Torture au Togo (ASVITTO), Kao Atcholi, a alerté l’opinion publique sur cette affaire. Il affirme que les détenus sont toujours emprisonnés malgré […]
Related
Thaksin Released as Thai Politics Shifts
Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been released from prison after spending eight months behind bars, marking another dramatic chapter in Thailand’s turbulent political history. The 76-year-old left Bangkok’s Klong Prem prison on Monday to cheers from hundreds of supporters dressed in red, the symbolic colour of his political movement. Wearing a white shirt and appearing relaxed, Thaksin told reporters he was in good health and felt relieved after his release. Family members welcomed him outside the prison, including his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who remains one of the leading figures of the Pheu Thai party. Thaksin’s release immediately reignited debate about his future influence in Thai politics, despite repeated claims from Pheu Thai officials that he plans to stay out of active political life. A billionaire businessman turned politician, Thaksin dominated Thailand’s political landscape after becoming prime minister in […]
Ushuaia Faces Questions Over Hantavirus Outbreak
The southern Argentine city of Ushuaia, often promoted as the “End of the World” and a gateway to Antarctica, is facing growing international attention following the deadly hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius. The vessel, currently anchored near Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands, began its journey from Ushuaia on 1 April with 114 passengers and 61 crew members from 22 countries onboard. Since then, several infections and deaths linked to the Andes strain of hantavirus have been reported among passengers. Although investigators suspect the virus may have been contracted before the cruise departed, the exact source of the outbreak remains unclear. One leading theory points to a landfill site outside Ushuaia that attracts rodents and is frequently visited by tourists interested in birdwatching. Local authorities, however, strongly reject the idea that Tierra del Fuego province was the […]
Iran hangs man accused of passing info to CIA, Mossad
Iran has executed a 29‑year‑old man identified as Erfan (or Irfan) Shakourzadeh after convicting him of collaborating with the United States’ CIA and Israel’s Mossad intelligence service. Judicial outlet Mizan Online said he was hanged on Monday following a final ruling by the Supreme Court, which upheld his death sentence for “intelligence cooperation” and espionage. According to Iranian state‑linked media, Shakourzadeh worked at a scientific organisation involved in satellite‑related projects and had access to sensitive technical information. Authorities accused him of knowingly and willingly transferring classified scientific and satellite data to foreign intelligence agencies after establishing contact with them. Reports claim he allegedly filled out a cooperation form for Mossad, providing personal details, workplace information, job responsibilities and his level of access before passing on restricted material. Iranian officials said his activities posed a serious security threat and framed the […]
Trump rejects Iran’s response to US peace plan as ‘totally unacceptable’
US President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s response to a recent American peace proposal aimed at ending the ongoing Gulf conflict, describing Tehran’s counter offer as “TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.” His reaction, posted on social media just hours after Iran’s reply was delivered via Pakistani mediators, has cast fresh doubt on attempts to halt months of fighting that have disrupted global oil supplies. According to Iranian state media and semi official outlets, Tehran’s response focused on securing a comprehensive ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, where US ally Israel is battling Iran backed Hezbollah militants. The proposal reportedly demanded an end to the US naval blockade in the Gulf, guarantees against further attacks, compensation for war damages and the lifting of sanctions and restrictions on Iranian oil exports. While full details of Washington’s original peace plan have not been made public, US […]
Australia to quarantine six people from hantavirus‑hit cruise ship
Australian authorities will place six people evacuated from a hantavirus hit cruise ship into a purpose built quarantine facility north of Perth for a minimum of three weeks. The six passengers, five Australians and one New Zealander, are being flown home on a government charter after weeks aboard the MV Hondius, a Dutch flagged luxury expedition ship linked to a cluster of deadly hantavirus infections. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the group will be taken directly from their aircraft to the Bullsbrook quarantine centre, near RAAF Base Pearce, and kept away from the general public throughout their stay. None of the six currently shows symptoms of hantavirus, but officials describe the move as a “precautionary approach” given the virus’s long incubation period, which can stretch up to six to eight weeks. During quarantine, the passengers will undergo regular health […]
Car bombing, ambush kill Pakistani police officers in Bannu
A car bombing at a police post in northwestern Pakistan has killed at least three police officers and left many more feared dead in a coordinated militant assault, officials say. The attack took place late Saturday on the outskirts of Bannu, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, an area that has seen a resurgence of militant violence in recent years. According to police official Sajjad Khan, militants first rammed an explosives laden vehicle into the police post, destroying much of the structure and killing officers on duty. Gunmen then stormed the compound and opened fire on surviving personnel, before ambushing additional police teams rushing to the scene as backup. Khan said that of the roughly 15 officers initially stationed at the post, most are feared dead, though a final death toll will only be known after search and rescue operations are completed. […]
Be the first to leave a comment