WHO Coordinates Evacuation of Hantavirus-Affected Cruise Ship Passengers in Tenerife
The World Health Organization (WHO) is overseeing the evacuation of passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship, which has been affected by a hantavirus outbreak. The ship, anchored near Tenerife, Spain, began disembarking passengers on Sunday. Spanish health officials boarded the vessel to conduct final checks before passengers were evacuated. The first group, consisting of Spanish nationals, was transported to the local airport for a flight back to Madrid. The evacuation process is expected to continue until Monday afternoon, with subsequent groups from the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Greece, Turkey, France, Great Britain, and the United States. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived in Tenerife to coordinate the efforts alongside Spanish government officials. The outbreak has resulted in eight illnesses and three deaths, with six confirmed cases of hantavirus.