Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has stated that the risk posed by the Hanta virus remains low, seeking to calm growing public concern following reports linked to a cruise ship carrying suspected cases.
The remarks came during Tedros’ visit to passengers aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius near the Canary Islands.
WHO: “This Is Not Covid”
Speaking to journalists ahead of a planned passenger evacuation operation on Sunday, the Director-General of the World Health Organisation stressed that the current situation should not be compared to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This disease is not Covid, and we as a global health organisation have repeated this again and again,” Tedros said.
He acknowledged that international concern surrounding the situation aboard the vessel is understandable, given the lasting psychological impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
According to Tedros, Covid-19 left the world deeply traumatised, with the memory of the pandemic still “alive in our minds”. However, he emphasised that the present situation is “far better”.
WHO Says Risk Remains Low
Tedros confirmed that the risk of infection remains “low”, both globally and specifically for residents of the Canary Islands where the ship is expected to dock.
He explained that this assessment is based on two key factors.
“First, this is related to the nature of the disease itself,” he said.
“Second, the Spanish government has taken all the necessary measures to prevent any problems.”
The comments come amid heightened global sensitivity towards infectious disease outbreaks following the Covid-19 pandemic, with health authorities attempting to prevent panic while monitoring developments closely.
