WHO Urges 42-Day Quarantine After 9 MV Hondius Hantavirus Cases
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 12
WHO Urges 42-Day Quarantine After 9 MV Hondius Hantavirus Cases
13 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 12
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told countries to prepare for more hantavirus infections after the MV Hondius outbreak, saying the long six-to-eight-week incubation period means additional cases could emerge in coming weeks.
Nine Andes-strain cases have been confirmed so far, including a French woman and an American evacuated from the ship; three passengers — a Dutch couple and a German national — have died.
Tedros said close interaction onboard before preventive measures began, after an index case dated to 6 April and the first passenger case was confirmed on 2 May, raised the risk of further transmission.
Spain evacuated more than 120 passengers and crew from Tenerife after Cape Verde refused the ship permission to dock, and Tedros praised Madrid's response as a model of solidarity.
With evacuees now back in their home countries, the WHO said national authorities must enforce quarantine and monitor high-risk contacts while the ship heads to Rotterdam with a reduced crew.
With a 42-day incubation and scattered passengers, is the outbreak truly contained or just delayed?
As climate change fuels more outbreaks, is this rare hantavirus a preview of our new normal?