WHO Says Hantavirus Risk Remains Low As Cruise Ship Nears Tenerife
WHO reassures Tenerife as hantavirus cruise ship cases remain controlled.
Hantavirus concerns have prompted heightened public attention in Tenerife after a cruise ship, MV Hondius, reported multiple suspected and confirmed cases while sailing from South America to the Canary Islands. The situation has led to public anxiety in the region, especially as the vessel is now being redirected toward a controlled docking process near the island.
According to health authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO), eight cases have been reported onboard the ship so far, including confirmed and suspected infections. Three fatalities have also been linked to the outbreak. The vessel has been rerouted to Tenerife to allow medical teams to safely isolate and treat affected individuals while preventing any uncontrolled spread of infection.
Hantavirus is a serious illness that can lead to respiratory complications, low blood pressure, and in severe cases, kidney failure. However, health experts have emphasised that it does not spread easily between people under normal conditions. Transmission typically occurs through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, or in rare cases through prolonged close contact with severely ill patients in medical settings.
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To manage the situation, Spanish authorities and international health teams have implemented strict containment measures. All passengers and crew are expected to remain isolated on board until carefully supervised evacuation procedures are carried out. They will be screened, tested, and transported to designated medical facilities in controlled conditions to minimise any public exposure risk.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has sought to reassure residents of Tenerife, stating that the situation is not comparable to the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasised that the current public health risk remains low and that the virus involved—the Andes strain of Hantavirus—is being carefully managed under expert supervision.
Despite these assurances, some local residents have expressed concern, citing memories of pandemic-era disruptions. Protests have taken place near the planned docking area, with port workers and community members calling for clearer communication and stronger safety protocols. Authorities, however, maintain that passengers will be transferred through sealed, controlled routes away from populated areas, ensuring no direct contact with the local community.
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