Three fatalities have been reported following a suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship currently traversing the Atlantic Ocean. World Health Organisation (WHO) representatives confirmed the deaths occurred aboard the MV Hondius as it sailed from Argentina to Cape Verde.

One case of the rare virus has been officially confirmed, with five additional suspected cases currently under investigation by international health bodies. British officials are currently monitoring the condition of a 69-year-old UK national who remains in intensive care in Johannesburg following an emergency evacuation for specialist care.

Fatalities reported during Atlantic crossing

South African health ministry officials said that the first casualty was a 70-year-old man who died while the ship was still at sea. His 69-year-old wife also succumbed to the illness in a Johannesburg hospital after being moved from the vessel for urgent treatment. Sources close to the case identified the deceased couple as Dutch nationals who were holidaying on the remote route.

Hantavirus transmission and ship safety

Hantavirus infections typically reach humans through direct contact with infected rodents or their droppings, urine, and saliva. Severe respiratory distress often follows infection, creating a serious medical emergency for those affected by the pathogen. While human-to-human transmission is rare, the contained environment of a cruise ship necessitates strict health protocols to protect all those remaining on board during the voyage.

World Health Organisation experts are currently coordinating with member states and Oceanwide Expeditions to manage the ongoing public health risk and facilitate medical evacuations. Two other passengers displaying symptoms may face isolation in Cape Verde before the ship proceeds to Spain’s Canary Islands later this week to undergo further screening.

MV Hondius originally departed from Ushuaia in Argentina on March 20 and was scheduled to finish its journey in early May. Global authorities are monitoring the situation closely to guarantee all remaining passengers receive necessary support and medical screening before the voyage continues to its final destination.

Sign up for personalised news

Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox!

By signing up, you will create a Euro Weekly News account if you don’t already have one. Review our Privacy Policy for more information about our privacy practices.

A Spanish couple in Marbella have claimed they were unable to enrol their “reborn baby” which they named ‘Batmancito’ (little Batman) in a nursery, saying the decision left them feeling judged and misunderstood. The case centres on a hyper-realistic doll used by the woman as part of her emotional wellbeing.

The woman, identified as Alejandra, approached a local early years centre with the intention of enrolling the doll, which she treats as part of a therapeutic routine.

Alejandra said the doll forms part of a process linked to depression and infertility. She explained that incorporating the object into daily routines, including structured activities, helps her cope with the emotional impact of her circumstances. Seeking a nursery place was, in her words, an attempt to make that routine feel more complete.

Nursery refusal and reaction

The nursery reportedly refused the request on practical grounds. According to the woman’s account, the centre’s management expressed concern about how other parents might react to the presence of a lifelike doll in a setting designed for young children. No formal complaint or legal action has been reported in relation to the incident.

Alejandra described the experience as upsetting, stating that she felt judged for her situation. The couple’s comments have prompted discussion about the role of reborn dolls and how they are viewed in public settings.

In Spain, early years centres operate under strict organisational rules regarding enrolment, safeguarding and the management of children’s groups. Decisions are typically based on practical functioning of the setting, including staffing, interaction between children and compliance with childcare regulations.

What reborn babies are used for

Reborn babies are highly detailed dolls designed to resemble real infants. While they are often associated with collectors and sometimes used as toys by children, they are also used in certain therapeutic contexts. In healthcare and support environments, they have been used with patients living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The dolls may be introduced in care settings where they can help reduce agitation, provide reassurance and encourage calmer behaviour in some patients.

They are also used by some individuals experiencing grief, including women who have gone through pregnancy loss or infertility. In these cases, the dolls can form part of coping strategies involving routine care, which some people find emotionally supportive. Their use varies widely and is not part of standard medical treatment, with approaches differing depending on personal choice and professional guidance.

They are not officially recognised within childcare systems or educational frameworks. This means there are no specific rules governing their use in nursery environments.

Nursery decision and practical considerations

The case involves a situation between a private coping approach and a structured childcare environment. Nurseries are required to maintain consistent routines for children in their care, and decisions about enrolment are based on safeguarding, operational capacity and the expectations of families using the service.

In this case, the nursery’s decision appears to have been based on concerns about how the presence of a lifelike doll could affect the setting and the reactions of other parents and children. Such decisions are typically made at individual centre level rather than through national guidance.

The situation has led to questions about how institutions respond when requests fall outside normal childcare practice. However, there is currently no formal framework in Spain addressing the inclusion of objects such as reborn dolls in early years education.

Lack of formal framework

Because reborn dolls are not recognised within childcare regulations, any request involving them is assessed individually by each centre. Policies vary between institutions, but they generally prioritise child welfare, safeguarding and the smooth operation of the group environment.

This means that outcomes can differ depending on the interpretation of rules by staff and the specific circumstances of the request.

Wider discussion

The case has led to wider discussion about how reborn dolls are perceived in everyday settings. For some individuals, they are associated with personal coping methods linked to emotional or psychological wellbeing. For others, they are unfamiliar objects that do not fit easily into shared public environments.

In the absence of specific guidance, decisions remain dependent on individual institutions. This can lead to differing outcomes in similar situations, particularly where personal practices intersect with regulated public services.

For now, the Marbella case remains an isolated example, but it has drawn attention to how unconventional personal practices interact with childcare settings and how such situations are managed without formal rules in place.

Spain is moving closer to allowing 17-year-olds to drive, but there is one detail that is catching people off guard. The adult sitting in the passenger seat will not just be there for reassurance. Under the proposed rules, the supervising co-driver could also be stopped and tested for alcohol or drugs, just like the person behind the wheel.

This change comes from a European directive that introduces supervised driving before the age of 18. Spain has not yet applied the system, but the framework is already clear. And for families, the focus is shifting as much to the passenger seat as it is to the driver.

Why the co-driver matters under the new driving rules

When people hear that 17-year-olds may soon be allowed to drive, the first reaction is often about the young driver. But the real responsibility sits partly with the adult next to them.

This is not a casual passenger role. The co-driver is expected to guide, observe and step in if needed. They are there to support the learner in real traffic situations, not just to tick a legal box. Because of that, their condition matters.

If the adult has been drinking or is under the influence of drugs, they are no longer able to supervise properly. That is why the rules allow authorities to carry out roadside checks on the co-driver as well.

It may feel unusual at first, but from a safety point of view, it is consistent. The system treats the supervising adult as part of the driving process, not as someone who is simply along for the ride.

What the rules say about who can sit in that seat

Not everyone will be allowed to act as a co-driver. The conditions are quite strict. The person must be at least 24 years old, must hold a valid EU driving licence and must have had that licence for at least five years. They must also not have been banned from driving in the last five years.

These requirements are there for a reason. The idea is to make sure that the person supervising has enough experience to handle different situations and guide a new driver calmly. Someone who has only recently passed their test would not meet that standard.

There is also room for Spain to go further. The European rules allow countries to introduce additional conditions if they want to strengthen the system. That could include limiting how many young drivers one person can supervise or adding extra checks.

For now, those details are still being worked out.

How driving at 17 would actually work

The system itself is fairly straightforward. A 17-year-old would go through the same steps as any other learner. That means theory lessons, exams and a practical driving test. Passing those would lead to a licence.

The difference comes after that. Until the driver turns 18, they would only be allowed to drive with a qualified adult in the passenger seat. This would be clearly marked on the licence with a specific code, making it easy for police to identify drivers under this rule.

Once they reach 18, the restriction is lifted and they can drive on their own.

Spain’s traffic authority, the DGT, is already working on how to introduce this system. The European directive sets a deadline of November 2028 for countries to adapt their laws.

Why alcohol and drug checks include the co-driver

This is the part that raises the most questions. Why test someone who is not actually driving? The answer lies in the role they play.

The co-driver is there to supervise, correct and guide. If they are not fully alert, that support disappears. In some situations, it could even make things worse if the advice they give is delayed or unclear.

By allowing checks on both people in the car, authorities are trying to keep the supervision meaningful.

It also sends a clear message. If you agree to sit next to a young driver, you take on a responsibility that comes with rules.

In practice, it means that anyone acting as a co-driver will need to treat the situation as seriously as if they were driving themselves.

What this could mean for families

For many families, this system will change the way driving is introduced. Parents are likely to be the main co-drivers, which means they will need to be fully aware of the responsibility involved. It is not just about helping their child gain confidence. It also means respecting the same standards expected of a driver.

For young people, it opens a door earlier than before. Being able to drive at 17 could make a difference, especially for those living in areas where public transport is limited. It can help with studies, work or daily life.

But that freedom comes with conditions. Every journey involves supervision, and that supervision has to be taken seriously.

Why Spain is looking at this model now

The approach is based on a system already used in countries like Germany. The idea is to give new drivers more time to learn under guidance rather than leaving them to manage everything alone from the start. Experience is built gradually, with support in real situations.

From a road safety point of view, that can make a difference.

Instead of going from lessons straight to independent driving, there is a transition period where mistakes can be corrected in real time.

Spain sees potential in that model, particularly for younger drivers who may benefit from extra support during their first months on the road.

A small detail that changes the whole picture

At first glance, the headline is about 17-year-olds driving. But the detail that stands out is the role of the co-driver.

They are not just a passenger. They are part of the system, with responsibilities that come with it. And that includes something many people would not expect.

If the rules go ahead as planned, sitting in the passenger seat could mean being breath tested or checked for drugs, simply because you are there to supervise.

It is a small shift on paper, but it changes how driving is shared between two people. And that is likely to be the part most people remember.