WHO head tells countries to prepare for more hantavirus cases
The Guardian • • health
Key Points:
- The WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged countries to prepare for more hantavirus cases following an outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius, emphasizing a 42-day quarantine and monitoring of high-risk contacts.
- So far, nine cases of the Andes strain of hantavirus have been confirmed, including passengers from multiple countries; Spain reported one positive case among 14 evacuees quarantined in Madrid.
- The outbreak began with an index case on 6 April, and due to extensive passenger interaction before preventive measures, more cases are expected in the coming weeks given the virus's long incubation period.
- Spain was praised by WHO for its leadership and compassion in accepting the ship after Cape Verde denied docking permission, coordinating the evacuation of over 120 passengers and crew from Tenerife.
- The MV Hondius has since left Tenerife and is sailing back to Rotterdam with a reduced crew, while countries are now responsible for their evacuated citizens' care and monitoring.