The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged countries to ensure that people are not left stranded at sea when health risks can be safely managed under international health regulations.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the call during an online media briefing on hantavirus, while reviewing developments in a recent maritime health emergency involving a cruise vessel.
Ghebreyesus said the WHO intervened after being alerted to the situation, prompting the evacuation of passengers who showed symptoms of infection when the vessel approached Cabo Verde. He added that the situation exceeded the country’s capacity to safely handle full disembarkation and repatriation.
According to him, WHO subsequently wrote to Spanish authorities requesting assistance in accepting the ship and coordinating the disembarkation process with international support. Spain, alongside the Netherlands and the ship’s operator, later led a coordinated evacuation effort.
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He commended Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for agreeing to the request and ensuring a safe and timely operation carried out over two days. All passengers were eventually disembarked in Tenerife, while the vessel, MV Hondius, continued its journey to the Netherlands.
About 150 passengers from 23 countries had been stranded on board for weeks, with some experiencing severe distress. Ghebreyesus stressed that they deserved dignity, compassion, and humane treatment.
He rejected suggestions that passengers should remain confined on the ship for an extended quarantine period, describing such proposals as “inhumane, unnecessary and cruel.”
WHO said all suspected and confirmed cases were isolated and managed under strict medical supervision to prevent further spread, noting that there is currently no indication of a larger outbreak.
However, the organisation warned that continued monitoring is necessary due to the virus’ incubation period, recommending a 42-day observation period from the last exposure date.
Ghebreyesus reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to working with countries under the International Health Regulations, stressing that global solidarity remains essential in managing infectious disease threats that cross borders.
