90-Second Read: EU accelerates research into Hantavirus vaccines

European Commissioner says risk to general population remains low | Anadolu European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas said Thursday that the bloc is intensifying efforts to develop medical countermeasures against Hantavirus infections. We are advancing promising candidate vaccines and therapeutics against Hantaviruses. A Hantavirus outbreak began in late April while the Hondius cruise ship was carrying around 150 passengers and crew from nearly 30 countries.

Tzitzikostas noted that the current risk to the general population remains low, as he addressed a European Parliament plenary session on preparedness for health emergencies. Tzitzikostas underlined that although suspected and confirmed cases have been isolated and managed under strict medical supervision, continued vigilance is required due to the virus's incubation period. A Dutch couple and a German woman on the ship are among the three passengers who died from the virus.

According to the World Health Organization, 11 cases had been reported by May 13, including eight confirmed infections. The Andean Hantavirus is mainly spread through contact with rodent droppings. The Commission, he said, is working closely with national health authorities through the Health Security Committee and other EU mechanisms to ensure coordination, information sharing and rapid-response capacity.