WHO Director-General reassures Tenerife residents on hantavirus response aboard MV Hondius

The World Health Organization Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has issued a direct message to the people of Tenerife to reassure them that the public health risk from the Andes strain of hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius remains low. Acknowledging the anxiety felt by the local population, Mr Tedros noted that memories of the 2020 pandemic linger and expressed a desire to speak to the community directly rather than through technical briefings. He emphasised that while the virus is serious and has resulted in three deaths, the current assessment is that the risk to residents living their daily lives in Tenerife is low.

Spanish authorities have activated a strict protocol to disembark nearly 150 passengers from 23 countries at the industrial port of Granadilla, ensuring no contact with the local population. The plan involves moving passengers from the MV Hondius to the port in sealed, guarded vehicles through a completely cordoned-off corridor before they are repatriated to their home countries. Mr Tedros confirmed that there are currently no symptomatic passengers on board and that a WHO expert is present on the ship alongside medical supplies.

The selection of Tenerife was not made arbitrarily but in full accordance with the International Health Regulations, the legally binding framework that defines the rights and obligations of countries and the WHO when responding to public health events of international concern. Under these rules, the nearest port with sufficient medical capacity must be identified to ensure the safety and dignity of those on board. Mr Tedros personally thanked Spain's Prime Minister Sanchez for accepting the ship, describing the decision as an act of solidarity and moral duty.

Mr Tedros confirmed his intention to travel to Tenerife to observe the operation firsthand and pay respects to the island's response. He stated he intends to stand alongside the health workers, port staff, and officials who are making the operation happen, noting that the ship's captain, Jan Dobrogowski, and the operating company have shown exemplary collaboration during the crisis. The Director-General highlighted that the nearly 150 people on board have been at sea for weeks, some grieving and all frightened, and that Tenerife has been chosen because it possesses the necessary medical capacity, infrastructure, and humanity to help them reach safety.

In his message, Mr Tedros reiterated that viruses do not respect borders and that the best immunity any of us has is solidarity. He expressed gratitude to the people of Tenerife and everyone involved for responding to a difficult situation with grace, compassion, and solidarity. On behalf of the World Health Organization and the families of the passengers around the world, he thanked the community for their support and urged everyone to take care of themselves and one another.