The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that there is currently "no sign" of a larger hantavirus outbreak following the successful evacuation of passengers from the disease-stricken cruise ship, the MV Hondius. However, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the chief of the UN health agency, issued a cautionary note on Tuesday, warning that the situation remains fluid and additional cases could be confirmed in the coming weeks due to the virus`s long incubation period.
The statement was made during a press conference in Madrid, following reports that the final groups of passengers had reached their destinations. The MV Hondius, which saw three fatalities during its journey, left Tenerife on Monday and is currently en route to the Dutch port of Rotterdam. Two flights carrying the last 28 passengers landed in Eindhoven on Tuesday. According to the WHO, there are nine confirmed cases of the virus and two suspected ones. Among the confirmed cases, a French national is currently in intensive care in Paris, where she is being treated with an artificial lung for what doctors describe as the most severe form of the disease.
The outbreak has prompted strict precautionary measures across Europe. In the Netherlands, twelve hospital employees in Nijmegen have been placed in quarantine after potential exposure while treating an evacuated passenger. Hospital officials clarified that the staff did not strictly follow established protocols when handling the patient`s blood and urine samples. Meanwhile, in Spain, one of the 14 nationals currently in quarantine in Madrid tested positive for the virus on Tuesday. The health ministry noted the patient is stable with only a low-grade fever and mild respiratory symptoms.
Hantaviruses are primarily carried by rodents, but the Andes strain—which the WHO believes affected the passengers during their time in South America—is capable of human-to-human transmission. Common symptoms of the infection include extreme fatigue, fever, muscle aches, stomach pain, vomiting, and shortness of breath. Because these symptoms can take a significant amount of time to manifest, officials are maintaining a high level of vigilance. Tedros emphasized that "our work is not over" regarding the containment of the virus from this specific maritime incident.
Global response to the incident varies by nation. French President Emmanuel Macron has assured that the situation in France is "under control," with 22 "contact cases" being monitored in isolation for a minimum of two weeks. Italy is also investigating a suspected case after a man exhibited symptoms following a flight with a passenger who later succumbed to the virus. Samples from the individual are being sent to Rome’s Spallanzani Hospital for biological analysis.
Despite the localized spread, WHO officials maintain that the risk of a major global outbreak remains very low. The MV Hondius is expected to reach Rotterdam on May 17, where it will undergo extensive sanitation and disinfection procedures. Oceanwide Expedition, the ship`s operator, confirmed that exact arrival procedures are still being finalized with Dutch authorities. For now, the focus remains on monitoring quarantined individuals and ensuring no further transmission occurs within healthcare settings or local communities.
