WHO Says More Hantavirus Cases Could Emerge After Cruise Ship Evacuation
MADRID — World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Tuesday that more hantavirus cases could emerge in the coming weeks after passengers were evacuated from the cruise ship MV Hondius, though he said the global public health risk remains low.
“Given the long incubation period of the virus, it is possible that we may see more cases in the coming weeks,” Tedros said during a joint press conference with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at Moncloa Palace in Madrid.
Tedros said 11 hantavirus-related cases have been reported so far, including three deaths. Nine of the cases have been confirmed as Andes virus infections, while two are considered probable cases.
“Our assessment continues to be that the global public health risk remains low,” he said, adding that there is currently “no sign” of a larger outbreak.
The WHO has recommended that all evacuated passengers undergo active health monitoring for 42 days from their last exposure date, either in designated quarantine facilities or at home. The monitoring period is expected to last until June 21.
“Anyone who becomes symptomatic should be isolated and treated immediately,” Tedros said.
Tedros thanked the Spanish government for receiving the ship and leading the evacuation effort. He said Spain had fulfilled “its legal duties under international law” while showing “solidarity, compassion and kindness” during the operation.
Spain agreed May 5 to receive the MV Hondius after a hantavirus outbreak was reported on board. The decision followed requests from the WHO, the European Union and more than 20 governments seeking help evacuating and repatriating passengers and crew.
The ship arrived off Tenerife on May 10 and docked at the Port of Granadilla a day later. During the two-day operation, passengers and some crew members disembarked under strict protective and sanitary measures before being flown out of Spain.
Sanchez called the evacuation a “success,” saying Spain coordinated 10 special flights to evacuate more than 120 people of different nationalities who left the ship between May 10 and May 11.
He said the operation was guided by four principles: “scientific rigor,” “absolute transparency of information,” “institutional coordination” and “international cooperation.”
Spanish health authorities said all evacuated people from the MV Hondius had left Tenerife by May 11. The ship later departed for Rotterdam with 28 crew members still on board.
The European Commission said it is coordinating with Spain, EU member states and other countries participating in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. It is also working with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the WHO and other partners on passenger transfers and follow-up health monitoring. (Source: IANS)
