By admin 
(NewsNation) — The MV Hondius, the Dutch cruise ship at the center of the deadly hantavirus outbreak, is headed to the Netherlands for deep cleaning and inspection following its evacuation.
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Passengers were removed from the ship in Spain’s Canary Islands and flown home under quarantine or medical monitoring.
Three people infected with the Andes strain of hantavirus have died.
Eighteen Americans who were on board are now being monitored. Most evacuees are at the National Quarantine Unit in Omaha, Nebraska, while two others were sent to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.
At least one passenger in the U.S. has tested positive but is not showing symptoms. Another is symptomatic but has not tested positive for hantavirus, according to federal health officials.
How the MV Hondius will be cleaned
Because hantavirus spreads through infected rodents and their waste, cleanup aboard the MV Hondius will likely begin with a full rodent inspection and extermination effort.
Health officials are also expected to inspect cabins and ventilation systems for contamination.
TENERIFE, SPAIN – MAY 10: The first passengers from the MV Hondius depart for Tenerife Airport aboard a Spanish Military Emergency Unit bus, escorted by a member of Spainâs External Health Service, after disembarking at Granadilla Port in Tenerife, Canary Islands, on May 10, 2026. (Photo by Andres Gutierrez/Anadolu via Getty Images) 
American passengers from the cruise ship, MV Hondius that was stricken with hantavirus, arrived in Omaha, Nebraska after flying from Tenerife, Spain on Monday, May 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Nick Ingram) 
TENERIFE, SPAIN – MAY 10: Medical staff talk with an American citizen after being evacuated from the MV Hondius in the Granadilla Port on May 10, 2026 in Tenerife, part of the Canary Islands, Spain. The cruise ship MV Hondius, which had three passengers die from Hantavirus last month and eight more reported cases, is expected to arrive on Sunday May 10 in Tenerife, where the remaining passengers will be repatriated to their respective countries. At a press conference this week, representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasized the outbreak of this rare virus did not constitute a pandemic, but it has stirred anxieties in the Canary Islands and elsewhere. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says hantavirus can be destroyed with common disinfectants, including diluted bleach and phenol-based cleaners such as Lysol.
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Carpets and upholstered furniture will likely be shampooed with commercial disinfectants. Pools, spas and water systems are also expected to be drained and sanitized.
Health officials warn crews not to vacuum or sweep contaminated areas before disinfecting them because infected particles can spread through the air, according to Maritime Health Services.
How soon can the MV Hondius sail again?
There is no official timeline for when the MV Hondius could return to service, but cruise ships affected by outbreaks often resume operations quickly after cleaning and inspection.
Earlier this year, the Star Princess docked in Fort Lauderdale during a norovirus outbreak, underwent enhanced cleaning and departed again later the same day after more than 100 passengers became ill.
Still, hantavirus presents a different challenge. Unlike norovirus, hantavirus is linked to rodent contamination, making cleanup more extensive and inspections more critical.
How quickly the MV Hondius sails again will likely depend on the results of inspections by Dutch health authorities and whether officials determine the ship is free of contamination.
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For now, health officials say the overall public risk remains low.