WHO Director-General commends Tenerife’s solidarity in hantavirus response
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praises Spanish government and island community for professional handling of crisis, while acknowledging the human cost of the incident.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has issued a follow-up message expressing profound gratitude to the people of Tenerife and the Spanish government for their cooperation during the public health response to a hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius. The operation, which saw more than 120 passengers from 23 countries disembark at the port of Granadilla de Abona, concluded with passengers being monitored by health professionals in transit or upon their arrival in home countries.
The complex international response involved coordinated efforts by Spanish officials, including Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Ministers Mónica García, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, and Ángel Víctor Torres. The WHO and its Regional Office for Europe in Copenhagen provided support, ensuring that protocols held and the corridor remained open. The Director-General described the scene at the port as one of calm professionalism, noting that the government honoured its international obligations while going beyond them with speed and care.
The operation concluded with the safe departure of the last passengers on the Monday following the Director-General’s initial visit to the port. Captain Jan Dobrogowski and his 26-member crew remain onboard the MV Hondius, which is currently sailing to the Netherlands. The WHO confirmed that the passengers are being cared for and monitored by public health professionals, though the exact timeline for the completion of quarantine for all individuals has not been specified.
While the logistical aspects of the response were deemed successful, the incident resulted in significant loss of life. Three deaths linked to the hantavirus outbreak were confirmed: two occurred onboard the vessel and one upon arrival in South Africa. Additionally, a member of the Guardia Civil of Tenerife died of a heart attack while serving during the operation. The Director-General extended deepest condolences to the families of those affected, emphasising that the conclusion of the operation does not erase the grief experienced by the families involved.
In his statement, the Director-General highlighted the moral courage displayed by the island community, contrasting it with global trends of closing borders during health emergencies. He expressed a personal wish to return to Tenerife as a visitor with his family, having witnessed the warmth and solidarity of the local people. The WHO remains focused on supporting the passengers and crew until they are out of quarantine and reunited with their loved ones.
