No Evidence of Wider Hantavirus Spread as Cruise Cases Remain Limited

(MENAFN) The World Health Organization has indicated that there is no current sign of a large-scale outbreak following the cluster of hantavirus infections detected on board the MV Hondius cruise ship, although further cases among exposed passengers cannot be fully ruled out.

According to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, 11 suspected infections have been associated with the vessel, with nine confirmed and two still under assessment. He said that all identified cases have been isolated and are receiving medical care under supervision.

Tedros noted that affected passengers who had already left the ship were successfully traced, including one individual located in a remote area through coordinated international efforts.

He added that WHO requested support from Spain after local response capacity in Cabo Verde was deemed insufficient once the outbreak was identified in the Atlantic.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the large-scale evacuation and repatriation effort as successful, stating that more than 120 passengers from multiple countries were transported through coordinated flights without operational incidents. The operation was carried out with cooperation between Spain, the European Union, and the WHO.

The outbreak has resulted in three deaths since late April. Authorities confirmed that passengers disembarked in Spain’s Canary Islands and were placed under quarantine as part of a multinational response effort.

Officials have recommended a 42-day monitoring period starting May 10 through June 21 for all passengers and close contacts to ensure any potential incubation cases are detected and contained.

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