As the hantavirus outbreak continues to spark concern, the World Health Organization (WHO) is now addressing fears that the virus could become the start of another global pandemic.

The outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius has reportedly led to three deaths. Nearly 150 passengers and crew members remain stranded on the vessel, while multiple suspected infections have been identified.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on X on Wednesday: “Three suspected hantavirus case patients have just been evacuated from the ship and are on their way to receive medical care in the Netherlands in coordination with WHO, the ship’s operator and national authorities from Cabo Verde, the United Kingdom, Spain, and the Netherlands.”

He continued: “WHO continues to work with the ship’s operators to closely monitor the health of passengers and crew, working with countries to support appropriate medical follow-up and evacuation where needed.

“Monitoring and follow-up for passengers on board and for those who have already disembarked has been initiated in collaboration with the ship’s operators and national health authorities. WHO thanks all those involved. At this stage, the overall public health risk remains low.”

What is the hantavirus?
As fears grow online that the outbreak could mirror the early stages of Covid-19, WHO epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove pushed back on comparisons during a recent press conference.

“This is not the next Covid, but it is a serious infectious disease. If people get infected, and infections are uncommon, they can die. People on the ship who are hearing this are very scared, rightly so,” she said, according to ABC News.

“The general public might be scared as well. Accurate information is critical. Knowing what your actual exposure might be – most people will never be exposed to this.”

Person to person transmission is rare
According to WHO, “HCPS has a high case fatality rate, commonly between 20% and 40%, making it a disease of major public health concern.”

The virus typically originates through contact with animals – particularly rodents – and can spread through urine, droppings, or saliva.

However, no rodents have reportedly been found on the ship, prompting health experts to also investigate whether the virus may have spread from person to person – something considered extremely rare, but potentially very serious.