90-Second Read: WHO head tells countries to prepare for more Hantavirus cases

Although usually spread by wild rodents, Hantavirus can be transmitted person-to-person in rare cases of close contact. The Spanish health ministry said on Tuesday that one of the 14 Spaniards evacuated from the ship and put in quarantine at a military hospital in Madrid had tested positive for Hantavirus and was showing symptoms. We would expect more cases because, as you may remember, the index case, the first case in the ship was on 6 April … [and] there was a lot of interaction, actually, with the passengers. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged authorities to follow the WHO's advice and recommendations, which include a 42-day quarantine and constant monitoring of high-risk contacts. The MV Hondius, which was sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde, found itself at the centre of the outbreak.

The WHO has so far confirmed nine cases of the Andes variant of the virus, among them a French woman and a US national who tested positive after being evacuated from the ship. The patient who tested provisionally positive yesterday has been confirmed positive for Hantavirus," it said in a statement. More than 120 passengers and crew members were evacuated from Tenerife in a carefully coordinated operation on Sunday and Monday. And as you know, the incubation period is also six to eight weeks. I'd like to thank Spain and, especially, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, for the outstanding leadership and coordination.

That's what we expect." The WHO chief also paid tribute to the Spanish government and the people of Spain for responding to the plight of those onboard the ship after authorities in Cape Verde refused it permission to dock. I know this is a model, and I hope other countries also learn from this, not just the obligation part but the compassion and solidarity that Spain has shown." In a "divided and divisive world", he added, "kindness and taking care of each other" were important. What it needs is countries that show solidarity and want to move forward." The prime minister also offered his condolences once again to the family of a Guardia Civil officer who died of a heart attack while taking part in the evacuation on Sunday. The.

Sánchez echoed the sentiment, saying: "This world doesn't need more selfishness, nor more fear. Despite objections from the regional government of the Canary Islands, Spain's central government allowed the MV Hondius to anchor in port in Tenerife, and then, briefly, to dock, as it oversaw the evacuation operation.