The WHO warns countries to prepare for more hantavirus cases following an outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship, where three passengers died. WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the importance of quarantine and monitoring high-risk contacts.
Key points
WHO warns of potential increase in hantavirus cases
Outbreak linked to MV Hondius cruise ship
Three passengers died from the virus
WHO recommends 42-day quarantine
Nine cases of Andes strain confirmed
Mentioned in this story
World Health OrganizationTedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
MV HondiusAndes strain
The head of the World Health Organization has warned countries to prepare for more hantavirus cases after the outbreak onboard the MV Hondius, and thanked Spain for the “compassion and solidarity” it had shown by taking in the stricken cruise ship and evacuating its passengers and crew.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged countries to follow the WHO’s advice and recommendations, which include a 42-day quarantine and constant 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’s possible we might 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, found itself at the centre 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 person-to-person in rare cases of close contact.
Pedro Sánchez (left) and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus shake hands as they stand behind podiums on stage
Pedro Sánchez (left) and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus shake hands after their joint press conference in Madrid on Tuesday. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images
Tedros, who was speaking alongside Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, said more cases were likely to appear because of the degree of interaction between the passengers onboard the ship before the alarm was raised and the first case confirmed in a passenger on 2 May.
Q&A
What is hantavirus and how is it transmitted?
Hantavirus is a viral infection usually spread by wild rodents, but it can also be transmitted person-to-person in rare cases of close contact.
What precautions is the WHO recommending for hantavirus outbreaks?
The WHO recommends a 42-day quarantine and constant monitoring of high-risk contacts to prevent the spread of hantavirus.
How many confirmed cases of hantavirus are there from the MV Hondius outbreak?
The WHO has confirmed nine cases of the Andes strain of hantavirus related to the MV Hondius outbreak.
What happened to the passengers of the MV Hondius cruise ship?
Three passengers, a Dutch couple and a German national, died from hantavirus, while others, including a French woman and an American national, tested positive after evacuation.
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“We would expect more cases because, as you may remember, the index case – the first case in the ship was on April 6 … [and] there was a lot of interaction, actually, with the passengers. And as you know, the incubation period is also six to eight weeks.
“So because of the interaction while they were still in the ship – especially before they started taking some infectious prevention measures – because of the interaction, we would expect more cases because of some of what happened during the travel.”
Tedros said individual countries were now responsible for their citizens after the evacuation, adding: “I hope they will take care of the patients and the passengers, helping them and also protecting their citizens as well. That’s what we expect.”
The WHO chief also paid tribute to the Spanish government and the people of Spain for responding to the plight of those onboard the ship after authorities in Cape Verde refused it permission to dock. More than 120 passengers and crew members were evacuated from Tenerife in a carefully coordinated operation on Sunday and Monday.
“I’d like to thank Spain and, especially, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, for the outstanding leadership and coordination,” he said. “I know this is a model – and I hope other countries also learn from this – not just the obligation part but the compassion and solidarity that Spain has shown.” In a “divided and divisive world”, he added, “kindness and taking care of each other” were important.
Sánchez echoed the sentiment, saying: “This world doesn’t need more selfishness, nor more fear. What it needs is countries that show solidarity and want to move forward.”
People wearing protective face masks carry belongings as they walk along the tarmac
Passengers evacuated from the cruise ship arrive at Eindhoven airbase in the Netherlands on Monday night. Photograph: Piroschka Van De Wouw/Reuters
Despite objections from the regional government of the Canary Islands, Spain’s central government allowed the MV Hondius to anchor in port in Tenerife – and then, briefly, to dock – as it oversaw the evacuation operation.
The final two planes carrying passengers and crew left the Canary island on Monday night and arrived in the Netherlands early on Tuesday. The MV Hondius, which refuelled and restocked in Tenerife, is now sailing back to port in Rotterdam with a crew of 25 as well as a doctor and nurse.
