WHO head dismisses hantavirus comparison to COVID-19

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), stated that hantavirus is not a new COVID-19, according to a post he published on X.

He addressed residents of Tenerife, stressing that despite the seriousness of the situation involving the Andes hantavirus strain detected aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, the current public health risk is assessed as low.

WHO chief noted that the word “outbreak” may remind people of the 2020 pandemic, but emphasised that this is not a repeat of the COVID-19 scenario.

Ghebreyesus said there are no passengers on the vessel showing symptoms of the disease. WHO experts are on board, medical supplies have been provided, and Spanish authorities have prepared a controlled evacuation plan to the port of Granadilla, followed by transport of passengers to their home countries via fully monitored routes.

He assured residents that there will be no contact with passengers during the process.

By Jeyhun Aghazada