By Ayomide Otitoju
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Tuesday that “our work is not over” in containing hantavirus, following evacuations from a cruise ship hit by a deadly outbreak.
The MV Hondius has drawn international concern after three passengers died from the rare virus, which currently has no vaccine or specific treatment. More than 120 passengers and crew were evacuated from Spain’s Canary Islands on Sunday and Monday.
Speaking at a joint news conference in Madrid with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Tedros said there is no evidence of a wider outbreak.
“There is no sign that we are seeing the start of a larger outbreak,” he said, while warning that the situation could still evolve due to the virus’s long incubation period.
Health authorities have stressed that the global risk remains low and rejected comparisons to the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Tedros noted that additional cases could emerge in the coming weeks.
Countries have adopted varying responses for returning evacuees, though most are following WHO guidance that includes a 42-day quarantine and close monitoring of high-risk contacts. The United States has indicated it may not impose mandatory quarantine on returning passengers.
The outbreak also triggered diplomatic tensions over handling of the vessel, with Cape Verde refusing to accept the ship while Spain permitted it to anchor off the Canary Islands for evacuation operations. The regional government in the archipelago opposed the decision.
Sánchez defended Spain’s response, urging international solidarity, saying the world “does not need more selfishness or more fear, but countries willing to step forward.”
