Countries have begun preparations to evacuate their citizens from a cruise ship where an outbreak of a deadly strain of hantavirus was recorded. The vessel is expected to arrive at the island of Tenerife early Sunday morning. This was reported by Reuters, according to UNN.
Details
The World Health Organization held a briefing on Saturday for states whose citizens are on board. WHO recommended active surveillance of passengers for 42 days from the date of the last possible contact with the virus.
"I need you to hear me clearly: this is not another COVID. The current public health risk from hantavirus remains low," stated WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
According to him, passengers will be brought ashore through the industrial port of Granadilla in sealed vehicles under guard.
Evacuation will continue until Monday
The liner is expected to anchor off Tenerife between 06:00 and 08:00 Kyiv time.
Local authorities reported that the evacuation of passengers will last from Sunday to Monday, as long as weather conditions in the area remain favorable.
According to Reuters, authorities emphasize that the risk of the virus spreading among the general population is currently assessed as low.
Risk to Europe from hantavirus outbreak on liner remains "very low" - ECDC07.05.26, 15:50