World Health Organisation director issues warning over deadly hantavirus outbreak

A fresh warning has been issued by health officials following the recent hantavirus outbreak.

Earlier today (12 May), World Health Organisation director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus gave a news conference after some passengers on a cruise ship were hit by the deadly hantavirus.

So far, 11 hantavirus cases have been reported among people on the cruise, including three deaths. Nine of the 11 cases are confirmed, with two more probable cases, per PA.

Almost 150 people from 23 countries were on the MV Hondius cruise ship for weeks.

Speaking from Madrid during the news conference, Ghebreyesus said he expects there to be more hantavirus cases.

World Health Organisation director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has issued an update on the deadly hantavirus outbreak (Anadolu / Contributor / Getty Images)

The expert explained that this is because of the gap between the first hantavirus case on the MV Hondius and its being identified as hantavirus, as well as steps being taken to prevent its spread.

Ghebreyesus stated: "On more cases, as I said in my speech, we would expect more cases because, as you may remember, the first case was on 6 April and until the report was confirmed as infectious around 24/25 April, there was a lot of interaction of the passengers.

"As you know, the incubation period is six to eight weeks. Because of the interaction, while they were still on the ship, even as they were taking some preventative measures... we would expect more cases."

The MV Hondius cruise ship docked in Tenerife on Sunday, where passengers were evacuated and sent home in controlled conditions (- / Contributor / Getty Images)

The UK Health Security Agency's latest update on the hantavirus cruise ship outbreak was released yesterday (11 May).

It states that clinical assessments and testing are now 'well underway' at Arrowe Park on the Wirral, for passengers repatriated from the MV Hondius.

They include 20 British nationals, alongside one UK resident German national and one Japanese passenger.

"Two British nationals have returned home on repatriation flights to the USA, which were organised by the USA. Another British national is due to return to Australia. A further three British nationals are being treated by medical teams outside the UK – one in the Netherlands, one on Tristan da Cunha and a third in South Africa," the update outlined.

"Passengers will remain at Arrowe Park while they have clinical and public health assessments and testing. They will be fully supported and will have an assessment by and regular contact with NHS clinicians on site to check on their wellbeing. Strict infection control measures remain in place at the facility."

Dr Ghebreyesus has said he expects there to be more hantavirus cases during a news conference today in Madrid (FABRICE COFFRINI / Contributor / Getty Images)

Professor Robin May, Chief Scientific Officer at UKHSA, said: "Clinical assessments and testing are now underway at Arrowe Park, and the staff there have once again shown outstanding dedication and professionalism in providing the highest standard of care. We are enormously grateful for everything they are doing.

"Passengers will continue to receive the full support of our teams and NHS specialists throughout their stay and beyond. We want to reassure both passengers and the wider public that robust arrangements are in place, and that everyone involved will be looked after every step of the way."

The update concludes: "UKHSA continues to work closely with public health teams in devolved administrations and UK Overseas Territories to identify and support the management of individuals who may have had high-risk contact with cases.

"The risk to the general public remains very low."