WHO Evacuation of passengers from the cruise ship Hondius in Tenerife. WHO releases updated information on hantavirus Healthcare
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Monday that there are nine cases of hantavirus infection, seven of which are laboratory confirmed. Deaths among those infected were still recorded in only three cases.
WHO announced that the last remaining passengers on the hantavirus-infected cruise ship will leave the Hondius by the end of today. Passengers are leaving the Canary Islands on special flights.
According to WHO, more than 30 crew members will remain on the ship and travel to Rotterdam. They are expected to arrive at their destination port in a few days.
Over the weekend, the UN Secretary-General expressed support for the Spanish government and other countries fighting the hantavirus in close collaboration with the WHO. Today in Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, a team of eight WHO staff coordinated with Spanish authorities and other partners on the ground.
While the public health risk posed by hantavirus remains low at this time, the UN chief is convinced that it is now critical that international health efforts ensure the safety of everyone, including passengers and crew ship Hondius.