The World Health Organization has clarified that the hantavirus outbreak recorded aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean does not pose a major global public health risk and should not be compared to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking in Geneva, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus disclosed that eight cases have so far been identified, including five laboratory-confirmed infections and three suspected cases linked to the Andes strain of hantavirus.
The clarification comes amid reports of infections and deaths connected to the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius, where three passengers reportedly died and several others became ill during a voyage from Argentina to Cabo Verde.
The incident has prompted a coordinated international response involving health authorities across Europe, Africa, and Latin America.
According to reports, the first alert was issued by the United Kingdom under the International Health Regulations (IHR) after passengers aboard the vessel developed severe respiratory symptoms during the journey.
The WHO explained that hantaviruses are dangerous zoonotic diseases commonly transmitted from rodents to humans through direct contact with infected animals or exposure to their urine, saliva, or droppings.
The organisation further noted that the Andes strain remains the only known variant capable of limited human-to-human transmission.
Despite concerns surrounding the outbreak, global health authorities emphasized that the situation remains contained and does not suggest the emergence of another worldwide pandemic.
Elijah Adeyemi
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