In a rare and personal move, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has written an open letter to the people of Tenerife, seeking to calm fears as the cruise ship MV Hondius prepares to dock at the island following a fatal hantavirus outbreak.
Addressing the community from Madrid on May 9, 2026, Dr. Tedros emphasized that while the situation is serious, the public health risk to the residents of Tenerife remains “low.”
Addressing the “2020 Trauma”
Acknowledging the lingering anxiety from the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Tedros was firm in distinguishing the two events. “I need you to hear me clearly: this is not another COVID,” he stated. He confirmed that the virus on board is the Andes strain of hantavirus, which has claimed three lives on the ship so far.
The Granadilla Plan: A Step-by-Step Security Protocol
To reassure the public, the WHO outlined a strict “cordoned-off” repatriation process designed to prevent any contact between passengers and the local population:
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Location: The ship will dock at the industrial port of Granadilla, which is isolated from residential areas.
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Transport: Passengers will be moved in sealed, guarded vehicles through a secure corridor.
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End Goal: All individuals will be repatriated directly to their home countries; no passengers are currently symptomatic.
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Oversight: A WHO expert is already on board, and medical supplies are fully staged.
A Matter of International Law and Solidarity
Dr. Tedros defended the decision to choose Tenerife, citing the International Health Regulations. Under these legally binding rules, the nearest port with sufficient medical infrastructure must be utilized during such events.
