World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that efforts to contain the recent hantavirus incident are ongoing, after authorities evacuated all passengers from the virus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius in the Canary Islands. Speaking alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Tedros said there is currently no sign of a larger outbreak but that the situation could change and more cases may appear because of the virus’s long incubation period.
Health authorities believe this strain likely originated in South American rodents. The MV Hondius left Argentina on April 1, 2026. Ten days later a passenger died on board, and his wife died several days afterwards in a Johannesburg hospital. A third passenger, a German woman, later also died. The ship docked in Tenerife so passengers could be tested and any sick individuals evacuated; the remaining 120 people aboard were moved off the vessel over the weekend.
To date there have been 11 confirmed cases, with patients reported in Spain, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK and the US. Several countries have affirmed their commitment to WHO quarantine and contact-tracing guidance. A Dutch hospital said 12 staff members who did not follow proper protocols were required to quarantine for six weeks.
The WHO has emphasized that this hantavirus is not like COVID-19. Its incubation period ranges from about 4 to 42 days. Illness can include fever, muscle aches and abdominal symptoms, and some infections may be asymptomatic. Health officials continue surveillance, testing, quarantine and contact tracing as precautionary measures.
Edited by Rana Taha