Hantavirus Risk in Portugal Very Low After Cruise Outbreak
Portugal’s Health Minister, Ana Paula Martins, moved to reassure the public on Thursday, stating that the risk of a hantavirus outbreak reaching the Portuguese population is “very low.” The announcement follows a deadly outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, which has claimed three lives.
Continuous Monitoring and Low Internal Risk
Speaking at a press conference following a meeting of the Council of Ministers, Martins emphasized that the government is receiving hourly updates on the situation. “The Directorate-General for Health (DGS) currently assesses the risk for residents in Portugal as very low, and we do not expect generalized transmission,” she stated.
The Portuguese national health authority is working in close coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Both international bodies have echoed the Minister’s assessment, categorizing the risk to the general public from the Hondius outbreak as minimal.
The Investigation into the “Andes” Strain
The ECDC recently suggested that the outbreak may involve the “Andes” strain of the virus. Authorities believe some passengers may have been exposed in Argentina before boarding the vessel, subsequently transmitting the virus to others while at sea.
The MV Hondius was traveling from Ushuaia, Argentina, to the Canary Islands, making several stops in the South Atlantic for wildlife tourism throughout April.
Evacuation Plans Underway
After departing from the waters near Praia, Cape Verde, on Wednesday, the ship is now en route to the Canary Islands, where it is expected to arrive within 48 hours. The Spanish government confirmed that once the vessel docks, all passengers and crew will be evacuated and repatriated under the European Civil Protection Mechanism.
“All health authorities are in permanent contact,” Minister Martins assured, noting that Portugal remains vigilant despite the low immediate threat.
Image: Pexels – Diego F. Parra
