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UN PhotoWHO / HANTAVIRUS CASES
STORY: WHO / HANTAVIRUS CASES
TRT: 02:53
SOURCE: WHO
RESTRICTIONS: PLEASE CREDIT WHO ON SCREEN
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 04 MAY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / FILE
FILE – GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
1. Close up, World Health Organization’s logo at the headquarters
04 MAY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Maria Van Kerkhove, Director (a.i) Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, WHO:
“WHO is working with countries to respond to cases of hantavirus infection that have been identified on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. As of the fourth of May, there have been six suspected cases reported. Three cases have unfortunately died. One patient is currently ill in ICU in South Africa, while two patients remain on board and will be evacuated for medical treatment. About a hundred and fifty people, including passengers and crew, are on the ship.”
3. Close up, Dr. Van Kerkhove speaking
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Maria Van Kerkhove, Director (a.i) Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, WHO:
“WHO, together with authorities in Cabo Verde and the Netherlands, and the ship's operators are working to evacuate the two sick people on board to the Netherlands for medical care. At the present time, there are no other symptomatic people on the ship, but this is being carefully monitored. The ship is currently stationed off the coast of Cabo Verde. Passengers are being asked to stay in their cabins and limit their risk while disinfection and other measures are being taken. Medical teams from Cabo Verde have been supporting the ship's passengers and crew.”
5. Close up, Dr. Van Kerkhove speaking
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Maria Van Kerkhove, Director (a.i) Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, WHO:
“WHO has been working with countries who are cooperating to advise on the next steps for the ship. There has been excellent cooperation from all those involved. Our priority is to keep the passengers and the crew safe and healthy while limiting the spread of this virus.”
7. Close up, Dr. Van Kerkhove speaking
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Maria Van Kerkhove, Director (a.i) Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, WHO:
“Right now, our focus is on treating the patients and keeping the remaining passengers and crew safe. At the same time, we are working with authorities to understand the source of exposure through epidemiological investigations and doing contact tracing to identify any further cases. Laboratory tests are also ongoing.”
9. Wide shot, Dr. Van Kerkhove speaking
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Maria Van Kerkhove, Director (a.i) Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, WHO:
“We are working with countries involved and the ship's operators to coordinate these medical evacuations, to provide health guidance to the ship operators, and to carry out risk assessments to guide next steps.”
11. Wide shot, Dr. Van Kerkhove speaking
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Maria Van Kerkhove, Director (a.i) Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, WHO:
“WHO has immediately released funds from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to support these efforts.”
13. Wide shot, Dr. Van Kerkhove speaking
14. SOUNDBITE (English) Maria Van Kerkhove, Director (a.i) Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, WHO:
“Based on current information and what we know about the virus from previous outbreaks, the overall risk to the public is low.”
15. Wide shot, Dr. Van Kerkhove speaking
16. SOUNDBITE (English) Maria Van Kerkhove, Director (a.i) Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, WHO:
“Hantaviruses are a group of viruses carried by rodents that can cause severe disease in humans. Infection with hantaviruses is found in many parts of the world. Thousands of infections are estimated to occur each year. People usually get infected through contact with infected rodents or their urine, their droppings, or their saliva. Spread between people is uncommon, but limited spread has been reported among close contacts in some previous outbreaks.”
17. Wide shot, Dr. Van Kerkhove speaking
World Health Organization (WHO) is working with countries involved in the response to the hantavirus cases onboard a ship off Cabo Verde, as well as the ship's operators, and carrying out risk assessments to guide next steps.
The focus includes keeping the remaining passengers and crew safe. WHO is working with authorities to understand the source of exposure through epidemiological investigations and doing contact tracing to identify any further cases.
