health
May 7, 2026
WHO Director Reveals How Likely a Hantavirus Pandemic Is
The international health alarm raised aboard the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius is not comparable to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to health authorities, who ruled out a high probability of risk of a global outbreak.
TL;DR
- The WHO has downplayed the risk of a global hantavirus outbreak stemming from the MV Hondius cruise ship.
- The situation is not comparable to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to health authorities.
- Three passengers have been evacuated under suspicion of hantavirus infection, with one confirmed case of the Andes strain, which can transmit between humans.
- The cruise ship, which departed from Argentina, will dock in the Canary Islands, Spain.
- The WHO is collaborating with ship operators and countries to monitor the health of passengers and crew and ensure adequate medical follow-up.