WHO Director-General: Cruise Ship Hantavirus Outbreak Different from Early COVID-19 Emergency
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that the recent deadly hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, which has drawn international concern, is not similar to the early emergency state of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the global risk is low. Three infected individuals were transported to the Netherlands.
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- 📰 Published: May 6, 2026 at 23:46
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Geneva, 6th, comprehensive foreign wire report) World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated in an exclusive interview with Agence France-Presse today that he does not believe the recent deadly hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, which has drawn international concern, is similar to the early emergency state of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reports indicate that the World Health Organization (WHO) received notification on the 2nd that three passengers had died on the MV Hondius cruise ship, with a suspected hantavirus outbreak, making the ship an international focal point. This rare disease is usually transmitted by infected rodents or their urine, feces, or saliva, but three cases of the "Andes strain," which can be transmitted between humans, have now been confirmed in this outbreak.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus downplayed the threat of the outbreak during an interview at WHO's Geneva headquarters, emphasizing that "the risk to the rest of the world is low."
When asked if the WHO considered this outbreak similar to the early emergency state of the COVID-19 pandemic, he replied, "No, I don't think so."
Tedros stated that although the WHO has "convened multiple meetings to coordinate partners and respond," he does not believe it is necessary to convene an emergency committee meeting for the hantavirus outbreak so far.
Nevertheless, Tedros admitted that relevant units are fully responding, especially trying to safely evacuate the three suspected infected individuals from the MV Hondius, which has been anchored off the coast of Cape Verde, an Atlantic island nation off the west coast of Africa, since the 3rd.
Tedros said, "These three patients were evacuated just a few hours ago." He admitted that his team had "a somewhat sleepless night" preparing for the evacuation operation.
Currently, these three individuals are en route to the Netherlands. The MV Hondius is expected to sail to the Canary Islands, Spain, soon.
He stated, "Then other passengers will go to their respective countries from there."
Tedros pointed out that medical personnel, including WHO staff, have already boarded the ship, and stated, "We will continue to monitor and support the personnel on board, while also observing the external situation."
He said, "We are doing our best." (Compiler: He Hong-ru) 1150506
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(Central News Agency, Geneva, 6th, comprehensive foreign wire report) World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated in an exclusive interview with Agence France-Presse today that he does not believe the recent deadly hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, which has drawn international concern, is similar to the early emergency state of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reports indicate that the World Health Organization (WHO) received notification on the 2nd that three passengers had died on the MV Hondius cruise ship, with a suspected hantavirus outbreak, making the ship an international focal point. This rare disease is usually transmitted by infected rodents or their urine, feces, or saliva, but three cases of the "Andes strain," which can be transmitted between humans, have now been confirmed in this outbreak.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus downplayed the threat of the outbreak during an interview at WHO's Geneva headquarters, emphasizing that "the risk to the rest of the world is low."
When asked if the WHO considered this outbreak similar to the early emergency state of the COVID-19 pandemic, he replied, "No, I don't think so."
Tedros stated that although the WHO has "convened multiple meetings to coordinate partners and respond," he does not believe it is necessary to convene an emergency committee meeting for the hantavirus outbreak so far.
Nevertheless, Tedros admitted that relevant units are fully responding, especially trying to safely evacuate the three suspected infected individuals from the MV Hondius, which has been anchored off the coast of Cape Verde, an Atlantic island nation off the west coast of Africa, since the 3rd.
Tedros said, "These three patients were evacuated just a few hours ago." He admitted that his team had "a somewhat sleepless night" preparing for the evacuation operation.
Currently, these three individuals are en route to the Netherlands. The MV Hondius is expected to sail to the Canary Islands, Spain, soon.
He stated, "Then other passengers will go to their respective countries from there."
Tedros pointed out that medical personnel, including WHO staff, have already boarded the ship, and stated, "We will continue to monitor and support the personnel on board, while also observing the external situation."
He said, "We are doing our best." (Compiler: He Hong-ru) 1150506
Choose to stand with the facts. Every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio-visual content on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.