WHO Chief Reassures Tenerife Residents Amid Hantavirus Cruise Ship Fears

The World Health Organization has sought to calm fears in Tenerife after a cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak approached the Canary Islands, with WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus insisting the situation is “not another COVID.”

The cruise ship MV Hondius was rerouted to Tenerife after several passengers fell ill during its voyage from South America. According to WHO, eight confirmed and suspected cases of hantavirus have been identified so far, while three people have died.

Local residents in Tenerife have expressed concern over the arrival of the ship, with protests reported near the planned docking area as memories of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to linger.

Addressing the public directly, Tedros said the overall risk to residents remains low and stressed that hantavirus does not spread easily through casual contact like COVID-19 or measles.

“This is not another COVID. The current public health risk from hantavirus remains low,” Tedros said in a public message to the people of Tenerife.

WHO officials confirmed that the virus involved is the Andes strain of hantavirus, which can cause severe respiratory illness, low blood pressure and kidney complications. However, experts say transmission usually occurs through contact with infected rodents or prolonged exposure to severely ill patients.

Spanish authorities and international health teams are preparing a tightly controlled evacuation process for passengers and crew members. Officials said those onboard will remain isolated and undergo screening and testing before being transferred to medical facilities.

Tedros also assured residents that passengers would not interact with the local population. According to WHO, the transfer operation will take place through a secured corridor at the industrial port of Granadilla using sealed vehicles.

A WHO expert has already boarded the ship to monitor passengers and assist in managing the outbreak response.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely while emphasizing that the outbreak remains contained.