WHO chief says ‘work not over’ after hantavirus evacuation

World Well being Group chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on Tuesday (Could 12, 2026), “our work shouldn’t be over” to comprise hantavirus after evacuations from a cruise ship hit by a lethal outbreak of the sickness.

The destiny of the MV Hondius has sparked worldwide alarm after three passengers died in an outbreak of the uncommon virus, for which no vaccines or particular remedies exist.

But well being officers have pressured that the worldwide public well being threat is low and rejected comparisons to the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“There isn’t any signal that we’re seeing the beginning of a bigger outbreak,” Tedros informed a joint information convention in Madrid with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

“However in fact the state of affairs may change, and given the lengthy incubation interval of the virus, it’s attainable we would see extra circumstances within the coming weeks,” Mr. Tedros stated.

Greater than 120 passengers and crew on the MV Hondius have been flown out from Spain’s Canary Islands on Sunday and Monday, and international locations have adopted totally different well being measures for his or her returning evacuees.

Most international locations have adopted the WHO’s tips, which embrace a 42-day quarantine and fixed monitoring of high-risk contacts.

However in the USA, Jay Bhattacharya, appearing director of the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC), stated American passengers wouldn’t essentially be quarantined.

“I hope they (international locations) will observe the recommendation and suggestions we’re making,” Mr. Tedros stated in Madrid.

The MV Hondius offered diplomatic challenges as totally different international locations negotiated over who would obtain it and deal with its passengers.

Cape Verde refused to obtain the ship, which remained anchored offshore the capital Praia as three individuals have been evacuated to Europe by air final week.

Spain allowed the vessel to anchor off the Canary Islands for the evacuation of passengers and crew on Sunday and Monday, however the Atlantic archipelago’s regional authorities fiercely opposed the measure.

Defending his authorities’s coverage, Mr. Sanchez stated the “world doesn’t want extra selfishness or extra concern. What it wants are international locations that present solidarity and need to step ahead.”