WHO Warns Cruise Passengers From Hantavirus Ship Are 'High-Risk Contacts'

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that passengers who were on a cruise ship where a hantavirus infection was confirmed should be considered 'high-risk contacts' and require attention. A WHO official warned that cruise ship passengers should be regarded as 'high-risk contacts.'

Hantavirus is a virus transmitted by rodents and can cause severe symptoms including pneumonia, necessitating vigilance against infection during travel.

A hantavirus outbreak was confirmed on the cruise ship MV Hondius, which arrived off the coast of Spain's Tenerife Island. The outbreak has resulted in three deaths and eight additional reported cases.

Spanish authorities have arranged for passengers to be tested by local health authorities before disembarking. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated it has no plans to implement mandatory quarantine for returning U.S. passengers.