On May 6, 2026, a medical evacuation flight from Cape Verde to the Netherlands was denied landing in Marrakech, Morocco, due to a suspected hantavirus case on board. The aircraft, carrying a patient with symptoms consistent with hantavirus, experienced a failure of its isolation system, prompting Moroccan authorities to refuse entry.
The plane was subsequently diverted to the Canary Islands, where it landed safely. Spanish health authorities confirmed that the patient was isolated and that there was no immediate public health risk. Hantavirus is a rare but serious disease transmitted through rodent droppings, with no known cases in Morocco.
Moroccan officials stated that the decision was made to protect public health, citing the lack of adequate isolation facilities at Marrakech airport. The incident has sparked discussions about international health protocols and the need for better coordination during health emergencies.
