Health

WHO says hantavirus risk low after flight attendant tests negative

(Photo by Christopher BLACK / World Health Organization / AFP) The World Health Organisation insisted Friday that there is a minimal risk from the hantavirus to the general public

By Oyetoke Adedayo Ebenezer

2 min read 15 views Updated Aug 26, 2026
The World Health Organisation insisted Friday that there is a minimal risk from the hantavirus to the general public, as countries prepared to repatriate passengers stuck on a cruise ship hit by a deadly outbreak. Three passengers from the MV Hondius — a Dutch husband and wife and a German woman — have died while others have fallen sick with the rare disease, which usually spreads among rodents.

The only hantavirus species which can transmit from person to person — Andes virus — has been confirmed among those who have tested positive, fuelling international concern. The Dutch-flagged vessel, which has around 150 people on board, is expected to arrive in the Spanish Canary Island of Tenerife on Sunday. Special flights will take passengers to their home countries.

“This is a dangerous virus, but only to the person who’s really infected, and the risk to the general population remains absolutely low,” WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier addressed journalists. He indicated a picture was emerging from MV Hondius where “even those who have been sharing cabins don’t seem to be both infected in some cases”, when one has fallen sick. “That shows you again, luckily, apparently, the virus is not that contagious that it easily jumps from person to person,” he indicated.

The WHO has showed there were five confirmed and three suspected cases of the virus. There are no suspected cases on the ship. An update was expected later Friday. – KLM flight attendant negative – Cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions indicated 30 passengers, including the first fatality, disembarked at the remote British island of Saint Helena on April 24.

Your reaction

Pass it on

Share this story

Social links open in a new tab

Story guide

Understand this story

Summary

(Photo by Christopher BLACK / World Health Organization / AFP) The World Health Organisation insisted Friday that there is a minimal risk from the hantavirus to the general public The World Health Organisation insisted Friday that there is a minimal risk from the hantavirus to the general public, as countries prepared to repatriate passengers stuck on a cruise...

Key takeaways
  • (Photo by Christopher BLACK / World Health Organization / AFP) The World Health Organisation insisted Friday that there is a minimal risk from the hantavirus to the general public The World Health Organisation insisted Friday that there is a minimal risk from the hantavirus to the general public, as countries prepared to repatriate passengers stuck on a cruise ship hit by a deadly outbreak.
  • Three passengers from the MV Hondius — a Dutch husband and wife and a German woman — have died while others have fallen sick with the rare disease, which usually spreads among rodents.The only hantavirus species which can transmit from person to person — Andes virus — has been confirmed among those who have tested positive, fuelling international concern.
  • The Dutch-flagged vessel, which has around 150 people on board, is expected to arrive in the Spanish Canary Island of Tenerife on Sunday.
Article FAQ

What is this story about?

(Photo by Christopher BLACK / World Health Organization / AFP) The World Health Organisation insisted Friday that there is a minimal risk from the hantavirus to the general public The World Health Organisation insisted Friday that there is a minimal risk from the hantavirus to the general public, as countries prepared to repatriate passengers stuck on a cruise...

Who published this story?

Glow 99.1 FM published this story with Oyetoke Adedayo Ebenezer listed as author.

When was it published?

May 8, 2026

Kano gov submits APC nomination form

Continue reading

Kano gov submits APC nomination form

Politics · 2 min readRead next

Join the conversation

Comments (0)

No comments yet. Start the conversation.

Keep reading

Reader favourites

  1. 01Portugal to Face Super Eagles ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup212 views
  2. 02SUSPECTED JIHADISTS ATTACK NIAMEY AIRPORT161 views
  3. 03Grammy Awards 2026: Full Winners List, Historic Wins & Major Snubs156 views
  4. 04Iran Threatens US After Trump’s Warning156 views