Global health authorities are on high alert after a deadly hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship claimed three lives, prompting emergency evacuations and strict quarantine measures across several countries.

The World Health Organization has warned that efforts to contain the deadly hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship are far from over, despite officials insisting the global health risk remains low.

Cbinews.tv reports that WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said there is currently “no sign” of a wider outbreak similar to Covid-19, but cautioned that more cases could emerge due to the virus’ long incubation period.

Three passengers have died from the rare Andes variant of hantavirus, while seven confirmed cases and one probable case have been recorded among passengers and crew members from countries including the United States, Britain, France, Spain, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

More than 120 passengers and crew aboard the MV Hondius were evacuated from Spain’s Canary Islands, with many countries enforcing WHO-recommended 42-day quarantine measures for high-risk contacts.

Health experts say there are currently no vaccines or specific treatments for hantavirus, although authorities continue to stress that the overall global public health risk remains low.

#WHO #Hantavirus #MVHondius #Tedros #GlobalHealth #HealthAlert #CruiseShip #BreakingNews #cbinewstv