Marrakech – Spain’s government delegation in Melilla has denied claims that the border crossing with Morocco was shut down over hantavirus fears. Officials called the reports “completely false” and urged residents to rely on official channels for accurate information.

The false claims, circulated through posts impersonating local media outlets, alleged that the Beni-Enzar border post – the only operational crossing in the Spanish enclave – would close “within hours” over the weekend of May 8. The posts also used a fabricated image of the border checkpoint.

From Morocco’s side, the risk remains minimal. Mouad Merabet, Coordinator of the National Public Health Emergency Operations Center at Morocco’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection, said the global public health risk linked to the Andes hantavirus cluster aboard the MV Hondius “remains low.” He added that the national public health risk for Morocco “remains very low.”

The Melilla border scare came amid a widening international response to the hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship. The vessel, now anchored off Spain’s Canary Islands, has been at the center of a multinational health emergency since passengers began falling ill after departing Argentina in early April.

The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed seven cases and two suspected cases worldwide. Three passengers have died. The first victim died before testing could be conducted.

France confirmed its first case on Monday. Health...

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