On the 13th, the World Health Organization introduced the latest updates on the evacuation and transfer of personnel from the hantavirus-affected cruise ship 'Hondius' during a social media discussion, stating it would continue coordinating international response efforts and promoting research on medical treatments and vaccines.
Montes, WHO's technical lead on border health and points of entry, said the operation to evacuate and transfer cruise ship personnel from Spain's Tenerife Island lasted two days, during which over 120 people were evacuated from the ship and subsequently transferred via nine charter flights arranged by the governments of eight countries. Currently, 27 people remain onboard, including 25 crew members, one doctor, and one nurse, who will return to the Netherlands with the cruise ship.
She said the WHO would continue providing support to the countries concerned until the cruise ship safely arrives in the Netherlands, ensuring that all personnel disembark and that the vessel undergoes thorough disinfection.
In response to public concern over hantavirus transmission and the lack of effective vaccines or treatments, Montes stated that the WHO is actively monitoring the situation and plans to hold a technical advisory group meeting on antiviral therapy and monoclonal antibodies within the next two days.