WHO Says More Hantavirus Cases Possible After MV Hondius Evacuation, Global Risk Still Low

Madrid, May 2026 : World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Tuesday said additional hantavirus infections could emerge in the coming weeks following the evacuation of passengers from the outbreak-affected cruise ship MV Hondius, although he stressed that the overall global public health risk remains low.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Tedros said the long incubation period of the virus means authorities cannot rule out more infections among passengers and crew members who were aboard the vessel.

“Given the long incubation period of the virus, it is possible that we may see more cases in the coming weeks,” Tedros said.

According to the WHO chief, a total of 11 hantavirus-related cases have been reported so far, including three deaths. Of these, nine cases have been laboratory-confirmed as Andes virus infections, while the remaining two are being treated as probable cases.

Despite the infections, Tedros emphasised that health authorities do not currently see signs of a wider outbreak.

“Our assessment continues to be that the global public health risk remains low,” he stated, adding that there is “no sign” of uncontrolled transmission beyond the affected group.

The WHO has recommended that all evacuated passengers undergo active medical monitoring for 42 days from their last possible exposure to the virus. Tedros said the monitoring period would continue until June 21.

Passengers are being monitored either in quarantine facilities or through home-based observation, depending on the arrangements made by their respective governments. Tedros added that anyone developing symptoms during this period should immediately be isolated and provided treatment.

The WHO chief also praised Spain for its role in managing the emergency evacuation operation. He thanked the Spanish government for agreeing to receive the cruise ship and coordinate the disembarkation process after multiple countries sought international assistance.

Tedros said Spain had fulfilled “its legal duties under international law” while also demonstrating “solidarity, compassion and kindness” during the operation.

The Spanish government had agreed on May 5 to receive the MV Hondius after the hantavirus outbreak was detected on board. The decision followed requests from the WHO, the European Union and more than 20 countries seeking help in evacuating and repatriating passengers and crew.

The vessel reached waters near the Spanish island of Tenerife on May 10 and docked at the Port of Granadilla the following day. Authorities carried out a carefully monitored two-day evacuation operation under strict health and protective protocols.

Passengers and some crew members were safely transferred from the ship before being flown out of Spain on specially coordinated flights.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the evacuation mission as a “success,” noting that Spain organised 10 special flights to transport more than 120 people of different nationalities who had disembarked from the vessel.

Sanchez said the operation was guided by four principles: “scientific rigor,” “absolute transparency of information,” “institutional coordination,” and “international cooperation.”

Spanish health authorities later confirmed that all evacuated passengers had left Tenerife by May 11. Meanwhile, the MV Hondius departed for Rotterdam with 28 crew members still on board.

The European Commission said it continues to coordinate closely with Spain, European Union member states and countries participating in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. It is also working alongside the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), WHO and other international partners to oversee passenger transfers, medical follow-up and continued health surveillance.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)