Arabic version: منظمة الصحة العالمية تحث الدول على الاستعداد لزيادة محتملة في حالات فيروس هانتا

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has called on nations to prepare for an increase in hantavirus cases following a recent outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius. A French woman aboard the vessel is currently in intensive care on a ventilator, suffering from the most severe form of the disease. According to The Guardian, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the importance of adhering to WHO guidelines, which recommend a 42-day quarantine and monitoring of individuals who may have been exposed.

The outbreak has already claimed the lives of three passengers, including a Dutch couple and a German national. The WHO has confirmed nine cases of the Andes variant of hantavirus among passengers, including the critically ill French woman and a US national who tested positive after being evacuated from the ship. Health officials in Paris reported that the French patient, aged 65, has pre-existing conditions and is currently reliant on artificial lung support.

In Spain, health authorities confirmed that one of the 14 Spaniards evacuated from the MV Hondius has tested positive for hantavirus and is exhibiting mild symptoms. Tedros noted that the close interactions among passengers prior to the outbreak could lead to further cases, given the virus’s incubation period of six to eight weeks.

The UK Health Security Agency is taking precautions by bringing 10 individuals from British overseas territories who had contact with the outbreak back to the UK for self-isolation. Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed gratitude for the coordinated response to the situation, highlighting Spain’s compassion and solidarity in handling the crisis. The MV Hondius is now en route back to Rotterdam with a reduced crew, following successful evacuation operations in Tenerife.