The WHO expects an increase in hantavirus cases following the confirmation of infection in 9 passengers of the Hondius ship. Three people have died, and over 100 have been placed in quarantine.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that it expects an increase in the number of hantavirus cases, after the virus was confirmed in 9 passengers of the cruise ship Hondius. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director of WHO, emphasized that the long incubation period of 6-8 weeks may lead to an increase in cases in the coming weeks. Although there are no signs of a larger outbreak, the virus remains contagious, and the mortality rate can reach 40%.

Three people have died, and over 100 have been placed in quarantine, including passengers and crew. The evacuation from the island of Tenerife was carried out with strict security measures, but errors were recorded, including the quarantine of 12 medical staff. The outbreak occurred during a cruise that began on April 1, and the source of the virus is linked to a landfill in southern Argentina. Virologist Sergey Netesov mentioned that human-to-human transmission of hantavirus is rare, but the incident suggests an increased possibility of transmission.