Health ministry confirms second hantavirus case in Spain: 2 patients in Madrid quarantine

By Christina Thykjaer Published on 25/05/2026 - 19:50 GMT+2 Share Comments Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp

The Health Ministry has confirmed a second hantavirus case among Spaniards isolated in Madrid after a cruise-ship outbreak, while 12 remain in medical quarantine.

The Ministry of Health has confirmed a new positive case of hantavirus among the Spaniards who remain in quarantine at the Gómez Ulla Central Defence Hospital in Madrid, following the outbreak detected on the cruise ship MV Hondius. This latest confirmation brings to two the number of positive cases recorded among the Spanish passengers evacuated from the vessel.

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The new positive case concerns one of the people identified as a close contact of the initial outbreak, who was already in isolation and under medical supervision in line with the protocols laid down by the Early Warning and Rapid Response System. According to health authorities, the case was picked up during routine PCR testing and does not entail an increased risk to the general population.

The remaining 12 Spaniards remain in quarantine and under medical observation, while the ministry keeps the planned isolation measures in place until the 42 days set out in international protocols have elapsed.

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