The repatriation effort, coordinated by Spanish authorities with the support of the WHO, the European Union, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and several governments, marked the end of an emergency operation that has dominated global health attention for weeks following an outbreak of Andean hantavirus on board the ship.
As of Monday, the WHO said there were nine cases linked to the ship, including seven laboratory-confirmed infections and three deaths. One additional case remained under investigation following an inconclusive test result.
Click here to view the WHO hantavirus fact sheet
Operation executed ‘as planned’
The director general of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who was in Tenerife at the head of an emergency response team, praised Spain’s management of the operation. He said the landing was carried out “in style and as planned.”
“This is the triumph of solidarity,“he said, thanking the Spanish Government, the European partners, the Tenerife authorities and the ship’s crew for their coordination and cooperation throughout the crisis.
The last groups of passengers left the Canary Islands aboard specially arranged flights on Monday, while more than 30 crew members and two healthcare workers remained on board as the ship continued towards its home port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
No commercial flights
WHO officials stressed that none of the passengers traveled on commercial flights and urged countries receiving returning citizens to implement strict monitoring measures.
The agency requires 42 days of quarantine or isolation starting May 10, either at home or in specific facilities, reflecting the long incubation period of the virus and the possibility of late symptoms.
“What I believe is that countries will do everything they can to protect their citizens.” Tedros said. “The guidance is clear. There are 42 days of isolation.”
Health experts explained that the extended monitoring period aims to prevent further spread of the virus, which can become infectious from the onset of symptoms.
The next phase
Tedros said the operation had now entered a longer monitoring phase, with the WHO asking the countries involved to provide weekly updates through the International Health Regulations (IHR) platform on the health and well-being of passengers and crew.
“Continued international coordination is essential to protect the health of all,” said.
A confined outbreak
Olivier Le Polain, WHO’s head of epidemiology and analysis, said the outbreak remained “well contained for now” but warned that additional cases could still emerge in the coming days or weeks.
“We know that the incubation period for hantavirus and Andes virus is very long,” he said during a WHO news conference. “People can still develop symptoms much later.”
WHO officials also noted the strain placed on passengers and crew during weeks at sea, saying the repatriation was aimed at reducing transmission risks and ensuring people received appropriate care and support.
“This is not another COVID” Tedros said, urging countries to “Continue to show your compassion and solidarity with your citizens.”
