WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has confirmed that 11 individuals aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship have tested positive for hantavirus.
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the findings during a joint press conference with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. According to the Director-General, the infections were identified among both passengers and crew members. Out of the total cases, nine have been laboratory-confirmed as the Andes virus strain, while two others are currently classified as probable infections.
Ghebreyesus emphasized that all suspected and confirmed cases have been isolated and remain under strict medical supervision. He noted that the risk of a wider outbreak is currently being managed by health authorities. Furthermore, the WHO chief highlighted that the prolonged period of isolation in a confined space has led to psychological tension and nervous exhaustion among some of the passengers on board the vessel.
Hantaviruses are a family of viruses spread mainly by rodents and can cause various disease syndromes in humans. The Andes virus, specifically identified in this incident, is a potent strain primarily found in South America and is notable for being one of the few hantaviruses that can be transmitted from person to person. The MV Hondius, an expedition ship frequently used for polar voyages, is currently adhering to international health protocols to prevent further spread of the pathogen while authorities monitor the situation.
