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The World Health Organization has confirmed five hantavirus cases linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius, while three additional cases remain under investigation, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Thursday.

Addressing a media briefing, Tedros stated that the overall public health risk remains low despite three deaths associated with the outbreak.

He also cautioned that additional cases could emerge because hantavirus has an incubation period that may extend up to six weeks.

The outbreak came to light after the United Kingdom alerted the WHO regarding a cluster of severe respiratory illness cases among passengers travelling aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise vessel MV Hondius.

According to health officials, eight cases have been identified so far, including three fatalities. Of these, five cases have been laboratory-confirmed as hantavirus infections, while three are still considered suspected cases pending further investigation.

First patient died onboard cruise ship

WHO officials said the first known case involved a passenger who reportedly developed symptoms on April 6 and later died onboard the vessel on April 11.

At the time, hantavirus was reportedly not suspected because the symptoms resembled other respiratory illnesses and no diagnostic samples were collected.

Health authorities subsequently initiated investigations after additional cases emerged among passengers.

Officials said none of the remaining passengers or crew members currently onboard the vessel are showing symptoms associated with the disease.

Medical assessments and monitoring of passengers and crew are continuing as authorities work to evaluate the extent of exposure and possible infection risks.

WHO alerts 12 countries after passenger disembarkation

The WHO stated that it has alerted 12 countries whose nationals had disembarked from the cruise ship earlier during the voyage.

The countries notified include Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Health agencies are reportedly collecting medical data and conducting follow-up monitoring of individuals who may have been exposed during the voyage.

The WHO emphasised that current containment and surveillance measures are considered adequate and there is no evidence at present of widespread transmission.

WHO says outbreak is not a pandemic threat

The WHO strongly clarified that the hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship should not be compared with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is not SARS-CoV-2. It doesn’t spread the same way. This is no coronavirus. It is not a new virus. This is not a pandemic,” Tedros said during the briefing.

Health experts explained that hantavirus spreads very differently from highly contagious respiratory viruses such as COVID-19.

According to the WHO, most hantavirus strains are not transmitted from person to person.

In the majority of cases, infection occurs through exposure to rodent droppings, urine or contaminated environments rather than through direct human contact.

Officials noted that human-to-human transmission, where documented, is considered rare and generally requires very close and prolonged contact.

Surveillance and monitoring continue

Health authorities are continuing surveillance measures and investigations linked to the cruise ship outbreak to ensure early identification of any additional cases.

Medical experts have urged travellers and healthcare providers to remain alert for symptoms among individuals who may have been exposed during the voyage.

The WHO reiterated that the current situation does not indicate a major international public health emergency but stressed the importance of continued monitoring and cooperation between countries.

The incident has once again highlighted the need for rapid disease detection and international coordination in managing outbreaks involving international travel and cruise tourism.