WHO confirms 11 hantavirus cases on cruise ship MV Hondius

World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has confirmed that 11 cases of hantavirus have been identified aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Ghebreyesus said that all cases involve either passengers or crew members. Of these, nine have been confirmed as infections with the Andes virus strain, while two remain classified as probable cases.

He emphasised that all confirmed and suspected infections are isolated and under strict medical supervision, stating that this effectively eliminates the risk of further transmission.

Ghebreyesus also noted that the outbreak has had psychological consequences for those on board. According to him, some passengers experienced nervous breakdowns due to prolonged confinement in a restricted environment, which significantly impacted their mental health.

Separately, twelve staff members at the Radboud University Medical Centre in Nijmegen, Netherlands, were placed under a six-week quarantine after failing to follow safety protocols while treating a patient infected with hantavirus.

In response to the situation, the WHO had earlier recommended a 42-day quarantine period for individuals evacuated from the MV Hondius.

By Tamilla Hasanova