A Dutch cruise ship linked to a deadly hantavirus outbreak was forced to dock again in Spain’s Canary Islands on Monday evening after strong winds and rough seas disrupted evacuation operations, Spanish authorities said.

The MV Hondius had been heading toward the Netherlands, where officials planned to complete the repatriation of the remaining 28 passengers on board.

Spanish maritime authorities recommended the temporary docking at the port of Granadilla in Tenerife after weather conditions made it unsafe for the vessel to continue evacuation procedures at sea.

Officials said strong gusts repeatedly pushed the ship off course during manoeuvres lasting more than an hour. Attempts to stabilise the vessel proved unsuccessful as high waves and shifting winds complicated operations.

Spain’s Health Minister Mónica García defended the decision, saying passenger safety remained the priority.

“For meteorological reasons and following the recommendation of the maritime authorities, the MV Hondius has been temporarily moored in the Port of Granadilla,” García said. “The strong wind and waves made it safer for the passengers to disembark and for evacuation teams to work.”

The ship has been at the centre of an international health operation after multiple hantavirus cases were linked to passengers on board. Three passengers have died since the outbreak began during the voyage, while several confirmed and suspected infections have been reported among travellers from different countries.

Spanish health authorities said Monday evening that one of the 14 Spanish nationals evacuated from the ship had tested provisionally positive for hantavirus at Madrid’s Gómez Ulla Hospital.

The patient remains isolated and has not shown symptoms, while the remaining evacuees tested negative and continue to remain in quarantine under medical supervision.

The outbreak has prompted warnings from the World Health Organization, which said additional cases could emerge in the coming weeks because of the virus’s long incubation period.

Olivier Le Polain, head of the WHO epidemiology unit, said authorities needed to remain alert as symptoms may not appear immediately after exposure.

“We may see cases in the next few days or next week, so we need to be vigilant,” he said, explaining that the incubation period can last up to six weeks, although the average is closer to three weeks.

The crisis has triggered close coordination between Spanish authorities and international health agencies. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is scheduled to meet WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the Moncloa Palace on Tuesday morning to review the handling of the outbreak and ongoing repatriation efforts.

The two leaders are expected to hold a joint press conference following their meeting.

Health officials continue to stress that the overall public health risk remains low despite the international concern surrounding the outbreak.

Children across United Kingdom are becoming taller on average, but researchers warn the trend may reflect worsening childhood obesity and widening social inequality rather than improvements in public health.

A study conducted by researchers from University of Oxford and University College London found that the average height of children in England, Scotland and Wales has steadily increased during the past two decades, with growth accelerating sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The research, published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, examined height data among 11-year-old children and linked the increase to rising obesity rates, particularly in poorer communities.

According to the study, the average height of 11-year-old boys in England rose from 145 centimetres in the 2009-10 school year to 145.7 centimetres in 2019-20. During the pandemic period, the figure climbed more rapidly to 146.5 centimetres before easing slightly to 146.4 centimetres by 2023-24.

Girls showed a similar pattern. Average height increased from 145.8 centimetres in 2009-10 to 146.6 centimetres in 2019-20 before jumping to 148 centimetres during the pandemic and later settling at 147.5 centimetres.

Researchers said the increase was closely associated with rising childhood obesity, especially among children living in deprived areas.

The study pointed to pandemic lockdowns, school closures and reduced opportunities for exercise as major factors that contributed to unhealthy eating habits and lower physical activity among children.

In England’s poorest communities, the average height of 11-year-old boys increased by 1.7 centimetres between 2009 and 2024. During the same period, the proportion of overweight or obese children rose from 37.7 percent to 43.3 percent.

The report also found that traditional differences in height between wealthier and poorer children are narrowing. Among girls, the gap temporarily reversed during the pandemic, with girls from the most deprived areas becoming slightly taller on average than those from wealthier neighbourhoods.

Researcher Andrew Moscrop said poorer communities are often exposed to greater numbers of unhealthy food outlets and have less access to healthier options.

The findings come as childhood obesity continues to rise across Europe. According to World Health Organization data, obesity rates among children aged five to 19 in the WHO European region doubled from 3.8 percent in 1990 to 8 percent in 2022.

Britain recorded one of the sharpest increases, rising from 4.5 percent to 11.3 percent over the same period. That made the UK the highest among Europe’s five largest economies, ahead of Spain, Italy and Germany. France recorded the lowest rate among the group.

Researchers said the findings highlight growing concerns about child nutrition, inequality and long-term health outcomes, warning that increased height linked to obesity should not be mistaken for improved childhood wellbeing.