The World Health Organization said the public health risk from a hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius remains low [1].
This assessment comes as health officials track an outbreak of the Andes strain of hantavirus among passengers and crew. Because this specific strain can be transmitted between humans, the situation requires monitoring to prevent a wider community spread.
According to the WHO, the organization does not expect the outbreak to develop into a COVID-style pandemic [3]. A WHO spokesperson said, "The risk to the public remains absolutely low" [1].
The MV Hondius is expected to dock in Tenerife, Canary Islands [3]. While the general risk is low, the virus is serious; hantavirus pulmonary syndrome carries a fatality rate of about 35 percent [2].
Authorities are working to identify and monitor those who may have come into contact with the virus. Reports indicate that 30 additional passengers are being traced [2], while other estimates suggest 62 people are feared exposed [4].
Regarding the nature of the virus, a WHO spokesperson said, "The Andes strain can be transmitted from person to person, but the risk of a widespread outbreak is low" [2].
“"The risk to the public remains absolutely low."”
While hantaviruses are typically zoonotic—spreading from rodents to humans—the Andes strain is a rare exception capable of human-to-human transmission. The WHO's rapid reassurance aims to prevent public panic given the high fatality rate of the pulmonary syndrome, while the focus on tracing the 30 to 62 potentially exposed individuals is a standard containment measure to ensure the outbreak remains isolated to the vessel.
