The World Health Organization suspects that the Hanta virus, which killed three people on a cruise ship, was transmitted among passengers, according to the director of the Epidemic Preparedness and Prevention Department, noting that the organization is still searching for the source of the infection.

Published on: 05/05/2026 - 14:17

The World Health Organization announced on Tuesday that it suspects that the Hantavirus may have been transmitted from one person to another on board the ill-fated cruise ship, which witnessed three deaths out of seven confirmed and suspected infections.

In this regard, Director of the Organization’s Epidemic Preparedness and Prevention Department, Maria Van Kerkhove, told reporters: “We believe that there is limited human transmission of infection between people who have been in very close contact.”

Kerkhove also said that there is a suspicion that the person who was infected first contracted the infection before boarding the cruise ship.

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Despite this, the organization considered that the risk posed by the Hanta virus to the general public remains low.

The Regional Director of Global Health for Europe, Dr. Hans-Henri B., said: Cluj said in a statement: “The risk to the general public remains low. There is no need to panic or impose travel restrictions.”

The ship in question is still anchored off the coast of Cape Verde, and Spain agreed on Tuesday to receive it in the Canary Islands, as Kerkhov reported.

France 24/AFP/Reuters

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