Spain, WHO Praise Cruise Ship Hantavirus Emergency Response Cooperation
Korede Abdullah 
LAGOS, Nigeria – The government of Spain and the World Health Organization say the international response to the hantavirus outbreak aboard cruise ship MV Hondius demonstrates global solidarity during public health emergencies.
Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez,on Tuesday said Spain accepted the vessel after a request from the WHO, describing the decision as both a humanitarian responsibility and an obligation under international law.
Speaking at the Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Sánchez says the operation to receive passengers in Tenerife and coordinate onward travel concludes safely with support from healthcare workers, emergency responders and security agencies.
WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, praises Spain for responding swiftly during the outbreak.
“Spain demonstrated kindness, compassion and solidarity,” Tedros says. “Refusing assistance would have been cruel and inhuman.”
Tedros stresses that the Andes strain of hantavirus remains contained despite its ability to spread through close contact and its lengthy incubation period.
“This is not another COVID,” he says, adding that passengers and crew members will remain under monitoring for 42 days under international health protocols.
Officials say confirmed and suspected cases linked to the vessel have increased during the outbreak, with several fatalities already recorded. However, authorities insist all identified contacts remain under surveillance to prevent wider transmission.
Sánchez says Spain’s intervention reflects the country’s commitment to global health cooperation and humanitarian responsibility.
Tedros also commends residents of Tenerife for supporting affected passengers and welcoming the ship during the emergency response.
The WHO says international cooperation remains essential in containing emerging infectious disease threats and preventing future outbreaks from escalating across borders.
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Oluwatobi Adu 
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