WHO coordinates health response for hantavirus in Cape Verde

Published at: 06/05/2026 10:34 AM

The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently coordinating a health response to mitigate the hantavirus outbreak detected aboard the luxury cruise ship MV Hondius, anchored off the coast of Cape Verde. The agency's director general, Tedros Adhanom Gebreyesus, reported that a case has been confirmed by laboratory tests and five people remain under suspicion of infection, while medical evacuations are being carried out to the Netherlands and South Africa.

According to detailed information from Telesur, these actions are carried out in conjunction with authorities in the United Kingdom and Spain to guarantee the necessary assistance to those affected.

Despite the seriousness of the event, the WHO regional director for Africa, Mohamed Yakub Janabi, emphasized that the risk to public health is low and that the situation is under control, so no travel restrictions have been issued and there are no reasons for panic.

Experts explained that hantavirus infections, usually linked to rodents, are rare and do not have easy transmission between humans. The primary objective of the authorities at this time is to apply measures based on scientific evidence to save lives and contain the virus inside the vessel.

As part of safety protocols, passengers have been asked to remain in their cabins while comprehensive disinfection work and strict epidemiological surveillance are carried out on board.

The international response includes genetic tracing of the virus and the constant monitoring of crew members and passengers to prevent new infections. Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, director of the WHO, noted that other individuals with symptoms are not reported, although monitoring is kept rigorous under the standards of the International Health Regulations to ensure total containment.

The body recalled that hantavirus can cause serious symptoms such as fever, muscle pain and gastrointestinal failure that usually occur weeks after the initial exposure. However, cooperation between the countries involved and the vessel's operators ensures effective management of health risks on this maritime route.

International health authorities reiterated that they will keep informed about the evolution of the case and the condition of the evacuated people, while completing the necessary disinfection cycles to declare the ship risk-free.

Mazo News Team