The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for calm over the international health alert triggered after the suspected outbreak of Hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius, where three passengers have died, stressing that the situation does not mirror the early days of COVID-19.
The world body confirmed it was notified of the incident over the weekend, with the ship anchored off Cape Verde. Laboratory tests have identified the Andes virus in three cases—a rare strain known for limited human-to-human spread.
Speaking from Geneva, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus downplayed fears of a global crisis. “The risk to the rest of the world is low,” he said, adding firmly: “No, I don’t think so,” when asked if the outbreak resembled the onset of COVID-19.
