WHO Reassures Tenerife Ahead of Hantavirus Ship Arrival

The World Health Organization moved to calm fears in Tenerife ahead of the arrival of the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship MV Hondius, insisting the outbreak is “not another COVID-19.”

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus traveled to the Canary Islands to oversee the evacuation and repatriation of nearly 150 passengers and crew members after multiple deaths linked to the outbreak.

WHO says public risk remains low

In a public letter addressed to Tenerife residents, Tedros acknowledged growing anxiety on the island but stressed that the public health risk remains low.

“The current public health risk from hantavirus remains low,” Tedros wrote, adding that the assessment was made carefully and not “lightly.”

Officials emphasized that hantavirus spreads very differently from airborne viruses such as COVID-19. The Andes strain identified aboard the ship is capable of limited human-to-human transmission, but experts say it typically requires prolonged close contact with symptomatic individuals.

Massive security and evacuation operation planned

Spanish authorities prepared an extensive operation for the ship’s arrival at Granadilla port early Sunday morning.

According to officials:

• Passengers would disembark in controlled groups
• Small inflatable boats would ferry them ashore
• Travelers would be transported in sealed and guarded vehicles
• Passengers would avoid public contact before repatriation

Fernando Grande-Marlaska said more than 350 Spanish security personnel were assigned to the operation.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention deployed epidemiologists and medical professionals to Tenerife to assess American passengers before charter flights back to the United States.

Americans expected to quarantine in Nebraska

The CDC confirmed that 17 American passengers — none showing symptoms at the time — would be transported to the University of Nebraska Medical Center after returning to the U.S.

The facility houses the federally funded National Quarantine Unit, designed to handle high-risk infectious disease situations.

Health officials said the passengers would initially undergo observation before beginning a 42-day monitoring period because hantavirus symptoms can appear weeks after exposure.

Canary Islands officials opposed docking

The arrival of the Hondius sparked political tension and public protests in Tenerife.

Port workers demonstrated Friday, demanding more information about potential health risks tied to the ship.

Fernando Clavijo initially opposed allowing the vessel to dock and raised concerns about possible rodent contamination from the ship.

However, Spain’s national government overruled regional objections, arguing Tenerife had the medical infrastructure needed to safely manage the evacuation.

Spanish health authorities later stated inspections found no rodents aboard the vessel and dismissed fears that rats could reach shore.

Weather concerns added urgency

Officials also warned worsening weather conditions could complicate evacuation efforts.

Regional authorities said stronger winds and rougher seas forecast for early next week increased pressure to complete the operation quickly.

The Hondius had departed Argentina in April on a remote expedition cruise before several passengers became ill.

Three deaths linked to outbreak

The outbreak has been linked to:

• Three deaths
• Multiple confirmed infections
• Several suspected cases

A Dutch passenger died aboard the ship in April after developing respiratory symptoms. His wife later died in Johannesburg after leaving the cruise. A German national also later died aboard the vessel.

The WHO continues investigating the outbreak’s source, focusing on activities in southern Argentina before passengers boarded the cruise.

Countries worldwide monitoring passengers

Several countries are now tracing and monitoring former passengers and crew members, including:

• United States
• France
• United Kingdom
• Germany
• Netherlands
• Switzerland

Health officials continue stressing that the outbreak remains contained and poses little danger to the broader population.

Featured Image Alt Text: WHO officials oversee preparations in Tenerife ahead of the arrival of the hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius.