Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has appealed for calm among residents of Tenerife as a cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak prepares to anchor offshore on Sunday.
The vessel, the MV Hondius, has been at the center of growing concern after eight confirmed hantavirus cases and three deaths were connected to the outbreak onboard, according to the World Health Organization.
Local protests intensified over the weekend as residents voiced fears that the arrival of passengers from the ship could damage Tenerife’s tourism-dependent economy and potentially spread the virus. Demonstrators gathered in the streets chanting, “Yes to tourism, no to the virus.”
Despite the concerns, Tedros insisted the risk to the local population remains low.
“The risk to you, living your daily life in Tenerife, is low,” the WHO chief said Saturday, emphasizing that the assessment was made under strict international health protocols.
Tedros explained that nearly 150 passengers and crew from 23 countries have remained stranded at sea for weeks, with many eager to return home after the outbreak.
Spanish authorities approved the ship’s arrival after the national government overruled objections from some local leaders. Tenerife was selected because of its medical infrastructure and ability to safely coordinate the operation, according to WHO officials.
The ship is expected to anchor offshore near the port of Granadilla early Sunday. Most passengers and crew members will reportedly be transported ashore in small boats before being transferred directly to waiting repatriation flights using sealed and guarded vehicles.
Tedros sought to reassure residents that the operation would be tightly controlled.
“You will not encounter them,” he said. “Your families will not encounter them.”
Tedros also announced plans to personally travel to Tenerife to observe the repatriation process and support medical teams and port officials handling the operation.
Maria Van Kerkhove told reporters that health screenings are continuing onboard the ship and that no passengers or crew are currently showing symptoms. Contact tracing efforts are also underway to identify those potentially exposed to confirmed cases.
Several countries, including the United States, Germany, France, Belgium, Ireland and Netherlands, have dispatched aircraft to evacuate their citizens from Tenerife.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also deployed personnel to Tenerife to assist with the evacuation of 17 American passengers. They are expected to be transported to a quarantine facility in Nebraska previously used during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHO officials said all passengers and crew are expected to undergo active monitoring for 42 days following their last known exposure to a confirmed case.
