The World Health Organization (WHO) has said countries must not leave people stranded at sea when they have the capacity to safely manage health risks under the International Health Regulations.
WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus made the remark during an online media briefing on hantavirus, 10 days after the organisation was first notified of the health emergency.
Ghebreyesus said WHO requested assistance from Ulisses Silva when the ship approached Cabo Verde, leading to the evacuation of three passengers who developed symptoms linked to the virus.
He explained that the situation had exceeded Cabo Verde’s capacity to safely manage the complete disembarkation and repatriation of all passengers.
“Last Monday, WHO wrote to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez asking if Spain would accept the ship and manage the disembarkation, with support from the world body. The European Union shared the same assessment,” he said.
Ghebreyesus added that Prime Minister Sánchez responded immediately in the affirmative.
He noted that Spain, working closely with WHO, the Netherlands government, and the ship’s operator, successfully coordinated the evacuation and disembarkation operation within two days.
The WHO chief thanked Pedro Sánchez for fulfilling Spain’s legal obligations under international law while demonstrating solidarity and compassion toward the passengers who had been stranded aboard the ship for weeks.
“The operation was declared successful: all passengers have disembarked and left Tenerife, and MV Hondius is now on its way to the Netherlands,” Ghebreyesus said.
He revealed that nearly 150 people from 23 countries were on the ship for weeks in frightening conditions, with some passengers facing mental breakdowns.
“WHO rejected calls to keep passengers on the ship for the full quarantine period, describing the proposal as inhumane, unnecessary and even cruel,” he said.
Ghebreyesus stated that all suspected and confirmed cases had been isolated and managed under strict medical supervision, significantly reducing the risk of further transmission.
He said there was currently no indication of a larger outbreak, although additional infections remained possible due to the virus’s long incubation period.
“WHO recommends active monitoring at a quarantine facility or at home for 42 days from the last exposure on May 10, which runs until June 12. Anyone who becomes symptomatic should be isolated and treated immediately,” he said.
Ghebreyesus affirmed that WHO would continue collaborating with experts and affected countries under the International Health Regulations, stressing that solidarity remains the strongest defence against infectious diseases that do not respect national borders.
