WHO says Hantavirus situation under control after cruise ship outbreak deaths
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MADRID – World Health Organization Chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said that global efforts are still ongoing to control a Hantavirus outbreak after an incident aboard a cruise ship triggered international concern. The outbreak occurred on the MV Hondius, where three passengers died after contracting the rare virus, which currently has no approved vaccine or specific treatment. The situation prompted evacuations and heightened monitoring measures across multiple countries. Speaking at a joint press conference in Madrid alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Tedros stressed that while the situation requires continued vigilance, there is no indication of a wider global outbreak at this stage. “Our work is not over,” he said, adding that although the immediate risk remains low, health authorities must remain alert due to the virus’s long incubation period, which could lead to additional cases in the coming weeks. More than 120 passengers and crew members were evacuated from Spain’s Canary Islands over the weekend and are now undergoing health monitoring. Different countries have adopted varying protocols for returning travellers, with many following WHO guidance that includes a 42-day quarantine and ongoing observation of individuals considered at higher risk. Officials from the United States confirmed that 18 American passengers from the ship have been transferred to medical facilities in Nebraska and Georgia for observation. The response to the outbreak has sparked international coordination challenges, as countries debated responsibilities for accepting and treating evacuees. Some governments were initially reluctant to allow docking, while others supported evacuation and medical support operations. Despite concerns, health experts have emphasized that the hantavirus situation is not comparable to the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that the public risk remains significantly lower a