WHO: Countries should prepare for more hantavirus cases
2026-05-12 14:52:26
TiranaPost
The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has warned countries to prepare for more cases of hantavirus after the outbreak aboard the MV Hondius. He thanked Spain for its solidarity in accepting the stricken ship and evacuating its passengers and crew.
Ghebreyesus urged authorities to follow WHO advice and recommendations, which include a 42-day quarantine and continuous monitoring of high-risk contacts.
"At the moment, there is no sign that we are seeing the start of a larger outbreak, but of course the situation could change and, given the long incubation period of the virus, it is possible that we will see more cases in the coming weeks," he told a press conference in Madrid on Tuesday.
The MV Hondius, which was sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde, was at the center of the outbreak after three passengers, a Dutch couple and a German national, died from the virus. Although usually spread by wild rodents, hantavirus can be transmitted from person to person in rare cases of close contact.
The WHO has so far confirmed nine cases of the Andean variant of the virus, including a French woman and a US citizen who tested positive after being evacuated from the ship.
The Spanish health ministry said on Tuesday that one of 14 Spaniards evacuated from the ship and placed in quarantine at a military hospital in Madrid had tested positive for hantavirus and was showing symptoms.
The WHO chief said countries were now responsible for their citizens after the evacuation, adding: "I hope they will take care of the patients and passengers, helping them and also protecting their citizens."
