The situation is serious, but there is no major risk to public health, said World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a press conference.
At the same time, he said that WHO has been informed of more possible cases because of the virus's long incubation period. These cases are now being followed up and contact tracing is underway.
Citizens of twelve countries, including a man from Sweden, disembarked from Hondius on the volcanic island of St. Helena on April 24. Most have returned to their home countries. Among them, two people in the UK and one in Denmark are being kept in isolation, none of whom have shown symptoms of infection.
Maria Van Kerkhove, a WHO epidemiologist, emphasizes that the risk of a new pandemic is very small.
This is not COVID-19, it is not the flu, it spreads in a completely different way.
A total of six people are being treated in hospitals in four countries after being in contact with infected people.
Two of those who were flown to the Netherlands on Wednesday have been confirmed to be infected with hantavirus. However, no one on board the cruise ship is currently showing symptoms of infection.
The cabins are being disinfected and anyone showing symptoms will be immediately isolated, says Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The ship is expected to reach Tenerife on Saturday, and the evacuation of the people on board is to begin on Monday.
