WHO: Collaborating with US, Argentina on Cruise Ship Hantavirus Outbreak
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed its ongoing cooperation with the United States and Argentina in responding to a fatal hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship. Despite both nations announcing withdrawal from the WHO, technical information exchange continues, with Argentina providing expertise on the Andes strain and test kits.
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- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 04:27
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Central News Agency
(Geneva, CNA) Despite the United States and Argentina having announced their withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), the WHO today stated that it continues to maintain good cooperation with the US and its agencies in responding to the deadly hantavirus outbreak, while also thanking the Argentine government for its collaboration.
According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the hantavirus outbreak occurred on the MV Hondius cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean and was only confirmed last weekend. Currently, multiple countries are working to monitor passengers who had disembarked and returned home before the outbreak was identified.
It is understood that several passengers have returned to the United States, which, under the leadership of President Donald Trump, had announced its withdrawal from the WHO.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that both sides continue to exchange technical information.
He told reporters at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, "The situation is actually the same as before, which means we share information from our side and also obtain information from the US side."
Argentina is one of the core countries in this crisis. The MV Hondius departed from Argentina on April 1, and the first case of this outbreak is believed to have been infected in Argentina. Argentina has also announced its withdrawal from the WHO.
Tedros stated today that the WHO "is working with Argentine health authorities."
The "Andes strain" prevalent there is currently the only known hantavirus strain that can be transmitted from person to person, and it is the culprit behind this outbreak.
Tedros said, "We thank the Argentine government for its cooperation based on their experience and expertise with the Andes strain." He added that the WHO has "arranged to transport 2,500 test kits from Argentina to laboratories in five countries."
According to Tedros speaking to reporters in Geneva, a total of 5 confirmed cases and 3 suspected cases have been reported so far, including 3 deaths.
He also mentioned that more cases might emerge, and indeed, the Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands later announced that another patient tested positive.
Abdi Rahman Mahamud, Director of the WHO's Emergency Preparedness and Response unit, stated, "We believe that if public health measures are implemented and countries work together, this will be a contained outbreak."
People believed to be infected with the virus are receiving treatment or are in isolation in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and South Africa.
Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's Technical Lead for COVID-19 and Head of the Emergencies Programme's Epidemics and Pandemics Preparedness and Prevention Department, also emphasized, "This is not the beginning of an epidemic, nor the beginning of a pandemic. This is not COVID."
(Geneva, CNA) Despite the United States and Argentina having announced their withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), the WHO today stated that it continues to maintain good cooperation with the US and its agencies in responding to the deadly hantavirus outbreak, while also thanking the Argentine government for its collaboration.
According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the hantavirus outbreak occurred on the MV Hondius cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean and was only confirmed last weekend. Currently, multiple countries are working to monitor passengers who had disembarked and returned home before the outbreak was identified.
It is understood that several passengers have returned to the United States, which, under the leadership of President Donald Trump, had announced its withdrawal from the WHO.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that both sides continue to exchange technical information.
He told reporters at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, "The situation is actually the same as before, which means we share information from our side and also obtain information from the US side."
Argentina is one of the core countries in this crisis. The MV Hondius departed from Argentina on April 1, and the first case of this outbreak is believed to have been infected in Argentina. Argentina has also announced its withdrawal from the WHO.
Tedros stated today that the WHO "is working with Argentine health authorities."
The "Andes strain" prevalent there is currently the only known hantavirus strain that can be transmitted from person to person, and it is the culprit behind this outbreak.
Tedros said, "We thank the Argentine government for its cooperation based on their experience and expertise with the Andes strain." He added that the WHO has "arranged to transport 2,500 test kits from Argentina to laboratories in five countries."
According to Tedros speaking to reporters in Geneva, a total of 5 confirmed cases and 3 suspected cases have been reported so far, including 3 deaths.
He also mentioned that more cases might emerge, and indeed, the Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands later announced that another patient tested positive.
Abdi Rahman Mahamud, Director of the WHO's Emergency Preparedness and Response unit, stated, "We believe that if public health measures are implemented and countries work together, this will be a contained outbreak."
People believed to be infected with the virus are receiving treatment or are in isolation in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and South Africa.
Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's Technical Lead for COVID-19 and Head of the Emergencies Programme's Epidemics and Pandemics Preparedness and Prevention Department, also emphasized, "This is not the beginning of an epidemic, nor the beginning of a pandemic. This is not COVID."