Medics escort a person with a suspected hantavirus infection to an ambulance after being flown to Amsterdam, the NetherlandsPeter Dejong/Associated Press/Alamy
The outbreak of hantavirus on board the cruise ship MV Hondius is unlikely to become an epidemic, the World Health Organization announced today.
In a press briefing, a panel of WHO scientists sought to quell worldwide fears over the outbreak and reassure the public that we aren’t about to see a repeat of the covid-19 pandemic. The panel also said it intended to stay until all journalists’ questions were answered and expressly stated that it was important that people not be alarmed by the cluster on the ship.
“This is not covid; this is not influenza,” said WHO scientist Maria Van Kerkhove at the briefing. “This is not the start of an epidemic; this is not the start of a pandemic.”
So far, there have been five confirmed cases of hantavirus and three more suspected cases. Three of those who fell ill have died.
