WHO Clarifies: Hantavirus Is Not COVID-19, Reassures Residents of Canary Islands
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reassured residents of Spain's Canary Islands that a hantavirus outbreak aboard cruise ship MV Hondius poses low public health risk and is not a repeat of COVID-19. Over 140 passengers and cre
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus addressed residents of Spain's Canary Islands to ease concerns about the hantavirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, operated by OceanWide Expeditions. While acknowledging public anxiety about disease outbreaks—and the painful memories of COVID-19—Ghebreyesus emphasized clearly: "This is not COVID again. The current public health risk from hantavirus remains low."
The ship is expected to arrive at Tenerife's Port of Granadilla on Sunday morning, where over 140 passengers and crew will be evacuated. Ghebreyesus arrived on the island Saturday, accompanied by Spanish Health Minister Mónica García and Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, to coordinate the evacuation efforts.
"I know you are concerned," Ghebreyesus said. "When you hear the word 'outbreak' and see a ship approaching the shore, memories resurface that we cannot completely forget. The pain from 2020 remains real, and I do not minimize that. But I need you to hear me clearly: this is not COVID again."
Reports indicate no one aboard the MV Hondius currently shows symptoms of hantavirus. However, some Tenerife residents expressed concern about the port call, questioning why the ship cannot dock elsewhere. Others sympathized with the passengers but worried about the adequacy of safety measures, with some skeptical that 100% protection is possible.
