WHO breaks its silence on hantavirus on the MV Hondius, rules out similarity with the start of Covid-19, and explains why the global risk remains low

Written by Caio Aviz

Published on 06/05/2026 at 17:04

Updated on 06/05/2026 at 17:05

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Outbreak linked to MV Hondius left three passengers dead, led WHO to coordinate partners and rekindled doubts about the Andes hantavirus variant

An international health alert gained traction after suspicions of a hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius. However, the World Health Organization dismissed any comparison with the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the current scenario does not present the same level of global threat observed at the beginning of the crisis caused by the coronavirus. Tedros made the statement this Wednesday, May 6, to the France Presse agency, at the organization’s headquarters in Geneva.

As Tedros stated, “the risk to the rest of the world is low”. Furthermore, when asked about similarities with Covid-19, he affirmed: “No, I don’t think so”.

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MV Hondius ship becomes center of health alert

The case involves the MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged vessel that entered international radar after the death of three passengers. According to information provided to the WHO, authorities communicated the alert on Saturday, May 2, amid suspicions about the outbreak on board.

Before that, the ship departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, for a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. Afterward, the vessel remained anchored off the coast of Cape Verde since Sunday, while authorities monitored the health situation.

WHO maintains low risk and coordinates response

Despite the international repercussion, the WHO adopted a cautious tone and avoided treating the episode as a global threat. According to Tedros, therefore, the case does not currently require the convening of the organization’s emergency committee.

***WHO stated that the hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius ship does not present a scenario similar to the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic and maintains a low global risk.***

Even so, the Director-General informed that the entity has already held meetings to coordinate partners and organize a response to the episode. Thus, the WHO is monitoring the case but reiterates that the global risk remains low.

Andes variant requires monitoring attention

Hantavirus appears as an infrequent disease. Normally, infected rodents transmit the virus, especially through contact with their urine, feces, or saliva.

However, the Andes variant, confirmed in three cases related to the ship, requires greater attention. This is because this variant can also pass from person to person, unlike other more common forms of the virus.

Why WHO rules out comparison with Covid-19

The WHO dismissed the comparison with Covid-19 because the current scenario remains limited and monitored. Furthermore, the organization has not reported signs of global dissemination similar to those observed at the beginning of the pandemic.

Therefore, even with confirmed deaths among passengers, the official assessment remains focused on a coordinated response and control of the episode. Meanwhile, the MV Hondius remains the central point of the alert, and the WHO maintains the main message: there is health surveillance, but there is no indication of elevated global risk.

Given this scenario, the question remains: should the hantavirus alert be more concerning due to the disease itself or due to the speed with which any outbreak rekindles memories of Covid-19?

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WHO breaks its silence on hantavirus on the MV Hondius, rules out similarity with the start of Covid-19, and explains why the global risk remains low

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WHO breaks its silence on hantavirus on the MV Hondius, rules out similarity with the start of Covid-19, and explains why the global risk remains low

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