The head of the World Health Organization has said that a recent Hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship should not be compared to the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic.
Three suspected #hantavirus case patients have just been evacuated from the ship and are on their way to receive medical care in the Netherlands in coordination with @WHO, the ship’s operator and national authorities from Cabo Verde, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands.… pic.twitter.com/olQBk6tdGk
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) May 6, 2026
The concern started after three passengers aboard the MV Hondius died from suspected Hantavirus infections. Hantavirus hit cruise ship on way to Canary Islands. The incident triggered international attention and health monitoring after the World Health Organisation (WHO) was informed about the situation.
Hantavirus is a rare disease that is usually spread through contact with infected rodents such as rats or mice.
Previously, Hantavirus originated from wild rodents, such as rats, mice, voles and was first identified in the 1970s near the Hantan River in South Korea. It is a zoonotic virus, which means it spreads to humans via airborne particles from infected rodent feces, urine, or saliva.
However, in most cases, the virus does not easily spread between humans.
Health officials confirmed that the cases on the cruise ship involved the Andes strain of Hantavirus, which is unusual because it can spread from person to person, raising concerns among international health authorities.
Despite this, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of World Health Organisation, said the overall danger remains low. He explained that the organisation does not currently believe the outbreak poses a major global threat similar to Covid 19, while speaking to WHO headquarters in Geneva.
Tedros further added that WHO has already held meetings with international partners to coordinate monitoring and response efforts, but there is no immediate need to declare a global emergency or hold a formal emergency committee meeting on the outbreak at this stage.
According to experts, Hantavirus infections are generally rare compared to highly contagious diseases such as Covid. Symptoms can include fever, muscle pain, fatigue, and breathing difficulties. Although, early medical treatment is important.
The WHO officials continue to investigate the source of the outbreak and assess whether additional cases appear among passengers or crew members. Health authorities are also reminding people that maintaining cleanliness is important to reduce the risk of Hantavirus infection.
Also read: What is hantavirus, how does it spread? Check symptoms and treatment here
