WHO urges global preparedness as Andes virus cases multiply aboard cruise ship; nine confirmed including severe French patient

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called on countries to prepare for additional hantavirus cases following an outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde. Nine Andes virus infections have been confirmed, including three fatal cases (Dutch couple and German national). A 65-year-old French passenger with pre-existing conditions is in intensive care on extracorporeal life support. Spanish authorities confirmed a positive case among 14 quarantined evacuees showing mild symptoms. Tedros attributed expected additional cases to extensive passenger contact during the voyage before containment measures were implemented, coupled with the virus's 6–8 week incubation period. The WHO endorsed Spain's response and recommended 42-day quarantine protocols and rigorous monitoring of high-risk contacts. Over 120 passengers and crew were evacuated from Tenerife; repatriation flights continued to the Netherlands and other destinations.