The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has sent a direct message to the population of Tenerife following the arrival of the cruise ship MV Hondius, affected by a hantavirus outbreak. In an unusual communication, specifically addressed to the island's citizens, he has asked for calm and has been emphatic: “This is not another COVID-19. The current public health risk is low”.
“I know you are worried”
Tedros acknowledges the emotional impact of the situation and makes explicit reference to the pandemic: "The pain of 2020 is still real", he points out, admitting the concern generated by the arrival of a ship with an infectious outbreak.
However, he insists on differentiating both scenarios: the detected virus is the Andes strain of hantavirus, a serious variant but with limited risk to the general population, according to the WHO's assessment.
A "safe and controlled" operation
The head of the WHO has backed the plan designed by Spain to manage the arrival of the ship. As he explains, the passengers will be transferred at the port of Granadilla, far from residential areas, through a completely controlled operation.
“You will not have contact with them”, he has underlined, detailing that the transfer will be carried out in sealed vehicles and under a cordoned-off corridor, with direct repatriation to their countries of origin.
Furthermore, it has confirmed that there are no passengers with symptoms currently on board and that an WHO expert is already on the ship supervising the situation.
Spain, chosen for its healthcare capacity
Tedros has defended the decision for the ship to arrive in Tenerife, explaining that it responds to criteria of the International Health Regulations. “The nearest port with sufficient medical capacity must be chosen,” he indicated.
In this regard, he has praised the Spanish response: “I personally thanked Pedro Sánchez for the decision to take in this boat. It is an act of solidarity and moral duty”.
“The best immunity is solidarity”
The WHO director wanted to go beyond the technical message, appealing to social values: “Viruses do not understand politics nor do they respect borders. The best immunity we have is solidarity”.
The role of Tenerife has also been highlighted, which has been defined as a community with “medical capacity, infrastructure, and humanity” to face the situation.
Will travel to Tenerife
Tedros has announced that he will be present on the island to follow the operation firsthand and show his support for the professionals involved.
“I want to be with the healthcare workers, the port personnel, and everyone who is managing this operation,” he stated, in what represents an unusual gesture from the head of the WHO.
A message to ease the tension
The statement arrives in a context of growing concern in Tenerife, where criticisms and doubts have arisen about the arrival of the ship.
Faced with that scenario, Tedros has wanted to close his message with a call for calm: trust in the protocols, prudence, and collective responsibility in the face of a situation that, he insists, is under control.