WHO Chief: Low Risk of Hantavirus Spread After Ship Outbreak
The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has moved to calm public fears regarding a hantavirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship ‘Hondius,’ describing the risk of further contagion as “low.”
Swift Action and Global Coordination
Speaking at a press conference in Tenerife alongside Spanish Health Minister Mónica García, Tedros emphasized that while the threat appears contained, international health authorities are not taking any chances. “The countries of origin for all passengers are taking necessary precautions,” Tedros stated, specifically noting that the United States is ready to receive 17 American travelers being flown home this afternoon.
The WHO chief’s optimism is rooted in recent scientific investigations into the specific strain of the virus present on the ship. According to Tedros, the cruise ship’s health crisis has been managed “very well” under the leadership of Spanish and local Tenerife health authorities.
The Outbreak and Evacuation
The ‘Hondius’ arrived at the port of Granadilla in the Canary Islands early this morning after a period of quarantine in Cape Verde. The ship, owned by Oceandrive, was traveling from Argentina toward Cape Verde through the South Atlantic when an international health alert was triggered last weekend.
Evacuations began at approximately 9:30 AM local time today. The first group to disembark included 13 passengers and one crew member, all Spanish nationals, who were transported to Madrid. Throughout the day, several more repatriation flights are scheduled to ferry more than 100 individuals to various destinations across the European Union and the United States.
Fatalities and the Rare ‘Andes’ Strain
The outbreak has been linked to eight suspected cases of hantavirus, six of which have been officially confirmed by the WHO. Tragically, three people have died from the infection, with the most recent death occurring on May 2. Health officials confirmed that none of the remaining passengers or crew currently on board are showing symptoms or suspected of being infected.
While hantavirus is typically transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents, the variant identified on the ‘Hondius’—the Andes hantavirus—is particularly concerning to health experts. Unlike many other strains, the Andes variant is rare and capable of person-to-person transmission, which prompted the rigorous quarantine and international response.
Current Status of the Vessel
The vessel currently carries 147 people, including passengers, crew, and a specialized team of medical experts from the WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). With the final repatriation flights underway, officials believe the appropriate measures are in place to bring the outbreak to a close.
Image: Pexels – Yesim G. Ozdemir
