WHO Urges 42-Day Monitoring After Hantavirus Outbreak on MV Hondius Cruise Ship

The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised that all passengers and crew aboard the cruise ship affected by the hantavirus outbreak should be considered high-risk contacts and closely monitored for 42 days.

WHO’s Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention stated that no symptoms have been reported among passengers or crew members so far. However, the agency has recommended active follow-up and health monitoring for everyone disembarking from the vessel during the observation period.

The official also clarified that the risk to the general public and residents of the Canary Islands, where the MV Hondius is expected to dock today, remains low.

The hantavirus outbreak was earlier reported on board the MV Hondius cruise ship, which was travelling from Argentina to Cape Verde, located off the western coast of Africa.