On Thursday 7 May, European Commission spokesperson Eva Hrncirova described the risk to the health of citizens in the European Union from the Hantavirus as “low”, despite the fact that this virus has caused the deaths of several Europeans who travelled on a cruise in the southern hemisphere, and that one of the deceased was in contact with travellers when he was evacuated by plane to South Africa.
“There is no cause for concern at the moment”, assured Ms Hrncirova, echoing the words of the WHO. She said that EU institutions and bodies, such as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), were monitoring the situation “very closely”.
Several meetings at EU Council expert level have taken place, as well as between Member States whose nationals were on board the MV Hondus cruise ship where the disease broke out.
With the MV Hondus due to anchor off the Canary Islands shortly, Spain has activated the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism, without specifying any particular request at this stage. “We are ready to provide assistance if necessary”, said Ms Hrncirova. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)