WHO chief says hantavirus 'situation is stable for now'
Key takeaways
- Tedros provided an update stating that the WHO has reported 12 cases of hantavirus and three deaths, with no other confirmed deaths since May 2.
- All passengers and crew remain in quarantine and under close monitoring to ensure they receive care if needed, Dr.
- The update on the outbreak comes after Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F.
Why this matters: political developments that affect policy direction and public trust.
Dr. Tedros provided an update stating that the WHO has reported 12 cases of hantavirus and three deaths, with no other confirmed deaths since May 2. The outbreak is believed to have originated from South America after infected travelers boarded the cruise ship MV Hondius earlier this month.
All passengers and crew remain in quarantine and under close monitoring to ensure they receive care if needed, Dr. Tedros wrote on the social platform X. The situation is stable for now. We continue to remain vigilant and in close contact with all relevant governments.
The update on the outbreak comes after Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Friday said he signed a targeted Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act declaration to support the development and deployment of medical countermeasures related to the Andes virus strain of hantavirus.