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WHO reports nine hantavirus cases; UN says remaining MV Hondius passengers to disembark
Summary
The UN spokesperson relayed WHO numbers: nine hantavirus cases with seven confirmed and three deaths, and said the remaining passengers aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship will disembark and be flown from the Canary Islands while WHO coordinates with Spanish authorities.
Farhan relayed WHO updates that nine people have been identified with hantavirus infection, seven of them confirmed, and that three deaths have been reported. "While the current public health risk from the virus remains low," he said, "the secretary-general stressed that it's important that international health efforts ensure the safety of all, including passengers and crew of the MV Hondius."
The spokesperson said the last remaining passengers on the cruise ship MV Hondius are expected to disembark today and will be flown from the Canary Islands on specially arranged flights; more than 30 crew members will remain on the ship as it sails to Rotterdam, a journey expected to take several days. He said WHO has an on-site team coordinating with Spanish authorities and partners.
During questions, the spokesperson repeated WHO’s assessment that this hantavirus outbreak is not on the level of the COVID-19 pandemic and pointed reporters to WHO for details on specific response measures.
