The European Commission coordinates evacuations and repatriations after an outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship.

The risk to the general population in Europe is assessed by ECDC as very low, but the EU has activated coordination through the Civil Protection Mechanism, health experts, and medical capacities prepared in Tenerife.

The European Commission coordinates the response to the hantavirus outbreak, after Spain activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism for the evacuation of people on board the MV Hondius ship.

In short

Spain activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism on May 6, for the safe evacuation of people on board the MV Hondius cruise ship.

Five EU-coordinated repatriation flights took place on Sunday, May 10, from Tenerife, and a sixth and final flight, operated by the Netherlands, is scheduled for Monday.

ECDC assesses the risk to the general population in Europe as very low, as prevention and control measures are in place, and hantaviruses do not easily transmit between people.

The Commission has prepositioned a medical evacuation aircraft from the EU fleet, hosted by Norway, in Tenerife, and has prepared transport, logistics, and protective equipment capabilities.

The Commission coordinates the response through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the Health Security Committee, ECDC, WHO, and G7 partners.

The European Commission also coordinates and supports the response of national authorities to the hantavirus outbreak, following the activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism by Spain on May 6.

The EU Emergency Response Coordination Centre facilitates the safe evacuation of people on board the MV Hondius cruise ship, anchored in Tenerife.

According to the Commission, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, ECDC, currently assesses the risk to the general population in Europe as very low. The assessment is based on the fact that appropriate infection prevention and control measures are implemented and that hantaviruses do not easily transmit between people.

Five EU-coordinated repatriation flights took place on Sunday, May 10. The flights departed from Tenerife and were operated by France, Spain, the Netherlands, Greece, and Ireland. A sixth and final flight, operated by the Netherlands, is scheduled for Monday.

The Commission has also mobilized response capabilities and reserves from its strategic reserve. A medical evacuation aircraft from the EU fleet, hosted by Norway, has been prepositioned in Tenerife.

Additional transport and logistics capabilities, as well as protective equipment, are prepared for deployment if needed.

The Emergency Response Coordination Centre has sent a liaison officer to Tenerife to support coordination on-site with the competent authorities during the operation.

ECDC has sent two experts from the EU Health Task Force on board, before the people on board are disembarked.

Alongside the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the Commission also supports the health response to the outbreak. The European executive states that it is working closely with Spain, the country where the passengers from the ship disembarked, with member states, countries participating in the Civil Protection Mechanism, ECDC, the World Health Organization, and G7 partners.

The Health Security Committee, chaired by the Commission, brings together national health authorities and helps align measures for safe disembarkation, repatriation, and monitoring of passengers.

Coordination is ongoing, through daily meetings of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the Health Security Committee, or through multilateral contacts initiated.

These channels allow authorities to exchange updated information, adjust operational plans, track potential cases, and maintain a coordinated European response as the situation evolves.

"Health threats can easily cross borders, and therefore coordination is essential. The Commission is working non-stop to ensure that response actions are swift and effective and that support is available where needed. A health crisis does not stop at borders. Neither does our response," said Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness, and Crisis Management.

"We are closely monitoring the hantavirus outbreak and remain prepared to support member states. Although the risk to the general population in Europe is currently considered very low, we remain vigilant and work closely with ECDC, national authorities, and international partners to ensure a coordinated, evidence-based response. The Commission has a range of EU tools available to help coordinate actions, mobilize expertise, and provide assistance where needed," said Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.

The Commission states that its priority is to protect citizens, support those directly affected, and help member states act quickly together, based on the latest available evidence.

Hantaviruses have been included in the comprehensive assessment for 2025 regarding the prioritization of health threats for medical countermeasures, as part of the broader preparedness planning of the Commission.

The Commission has funded the development of medical countermeasures against this health threat. Competitive calls for proposals have been organized for advancing candidate vaccines and therapies against hantaviruses.

The revised 2022 regulation on serious cross-border health threats provides the legal framework for strengthening the EU's capacity in areas such as prevention, preparedness, surveillance, risk assessment, early warning, and response.

One of these mechanisms is the EU Health Task Force, led by ECDC. Its experts can be sent to support countries in Europe and outside Europe by advising on operational response to outbreaks and preparedness for crises related to communicable diseases or unknown origin diseases.

Any country can request assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The Emergency Response Coordination Centre coordinates and mobilizes support, including emergency medical teams, mobile laboratories, medical countermeasures, equipment, and medical expertise. It can also coordinate and co-finance medical evacuations or repatriation flights, based on identified needs.

https://2eu.brussels/ro/stiri/comisia-europeana-coordoneaza-evacuari-si-repatrieri-dupa-un-focar-de-hantavirus-pe-o-nava-de-croaziera