Hantavirus: Case count hits 13 as another MV Hondius passenger tests positive in Spain; situation stable, says WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday (local time) said the total number of hantavirus cases linked to a Dutch-flagged cruise ship at the centre of an outbreak rose to 13.

In a post on X, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "Spain reported a new case among the passengers who are in quarantine, which brings the total number of cases to 13."

He added, "There are no new deaths reported since May 2. The total number of deaths remains three out of 13 reported cases so far."

“The situation remains stable. Passengers who got sick are receiving the needed care, while others remain in quarantine,” the WHO chief said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), death rates vary depending on which hantavirus causes the illness. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is fatal in about 35 per cent of people infected, while the death rate for hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome varies from 1 per cent to 15 per cent among patients.

Earlier this month, the WHO chief urged the people of Tenerife to remain calm as the cruise ship carrying passengers exposed to the virus was set to disembark them.

In a lengthy post on X, he wrote, "I know you are worried. I know that when you hear the word 'outbreak' or 'epidemic' and see a ship approaching your shores, memories surface that none of us has fully overcome. The pain of 2020 is still real, and I do not minimise it for a moment."

Tedros has consistently noted that the hantavirus outbreak is not another COVID-19, and that the public health risk from the virus remains low. The WHO chief addressed the concerns of Tenerife residents after dock workers in Tenerife gathered outside the Canary Islands' parliament building in the town of Santa Cruz to voice concerns that the imminent arrival could pose a health risk to them.

In a written statement, Oceanwide Expeditions said the extra work is being carried out on the advice of the GGD local health authority in the port city of Rotterdam, where the vessel returned early last week. Its home port is in nearby Vlissingen in the southern Netherlands.

“Based on their inspection findings, GGD has advised additional cleaning,” the cruise company said. “Following completion of this work, GGD will conduct a final inspection before the vessel can depart from Rotterdam.”

Previously, Oceanwide Expeditions stated that it did not anticipate any disruptions to the MV Hondius' schedule, including its planned Arctic voyage departing from Keflavik, Iceland, on 29 May. However, the company has recently clarified that all trips scheduled from 13 June onward will continue as planned, adding that no additional interruptions to the m/v Hondius sailing schedule are expected.