Acting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Jay Bhattacharya sought to calm public fears Sunday, emphasizing that the hantavirus outbreak on a Dutch cruise ship does not pose the same threat as COVID-19. In an appearance on CNN's State of the Union, Bhattacharya told host Jake Tapper, “This is not COVID, this is not going to lead to the kind of outbreak” seen during the pandemic.
The remarks come as the CDC mobilizes resources following an outbreak of hantavirus on the MV Hondius, a cruise ship operated by a Dutch company. The ship, currently in the Atlantic, has seen three deaths linked to the virus, sparking global attention. The agency has deployed a team of epidemiologists and medical professionals to the Canary Islands, where the ship is expected to dock.
Bhattacharya noted that the CDC has been closely monitoring the situation. “I can assure you that the CDC has been absolutely on top of this outbreak,” he said. The agency plans to conduct an exposure risk assessment for each American passenger once the ship arrives in Tenerife, Spain, to determine the level of monitoring needed.
The U.S. government is coordinating a repatriation flight for American citizens on board, with the State Department confirming that it is working alongside the CDC, the Department of Health and Human Services, and Spanish authorities. A State Department spokesperson stated, “We are in direct communication with Americans on board and are prepared to provide consular assistance as soon as the ship arrives.”
The outbreak has revived memories of the COVID-19 pandemic, but health officials are quick to differentiate hantavirus, which is not easily transmitted between humans. The World Health Organization has also downplayed the pandemic risk, as noted in their assessment. The CDC has activated its lowest emergency level for the incident, reflecting a measured response.
Bhattacharya’s comments aim to prevent panic while ensuring a robust public health response. The agency has been communicating with the public as press attention grows, with Bhattacharya stating, “We’ve been communicating the last week as the press attention has picked up more with the public, as is appropriate, given the nature of this disease.”
As the ship nears port, the focus remains on containing the outbreak and ensuring the safety of passengers. For more on the unfolding situation, see our coverage of the evacuations and response.
