WHO Says Hantavirus Outbreak Risk Remains Low After Negative Test
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The World Health Organization says the public health risk linked to the hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship remains low, despite international concern following multiple deaths connected to the virus.
WHO spokesperson, Christian Lindmeier, on Friday says evidence gathered so far suggests the virus is not easily transmitted between humans.
The outbreak involves the Andes strain of hantavirus, the only known variant capable of person-to-person transmission. Three passengers — a Dutch couple and a German national — have died after contracting the disease aboard the Dutch-flagged vessel.
The cruise ship, carrying around 150 passengers, is expected to arrive in Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands on Sunday.
According to WHO, there are currently five confirmed cases and three suspected infections linked to the outbreak, with no new suspected cases reported onboard as of Friday.
Lindmeier says some individuals who shared cabins with infected passengers did not become ill, indicating limited human-to-human spread.
Meanwhile, WHO confirms that a KLM flight attendant exposed to one of the infected passengers later tested negative for hantavirus.
The crew member reportedly developed mild symptoms after contact with a passenger linked to the outbreak during a flight from Johannesburg to the Netherlands.
“The negative result is encouraging and shows that exposure does not automatically result in infection,” Lindmeier says.
He also stresses that hantavirus does not spread in the same way as COVID-19.
The outbreak has triggered extensive contact tracing after several passengers disembarked on Saint Helena before travelling onward to multiple destinations.
British authorities have arranged a special evacuation flight for UK nationals and crew members, while Spanish officials say the ship will remain offshore during passenger transfers.
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