WHO Director-General Thanks Tenerife for Hantavirus Response
The World Health Organization Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, issued a follow-up message expressing profound gratitude to the people of Tenerife for their solidarity and cooperation during a recent hantavirus outbreak response. The operation successfully facilitated the safe disembarkation and care of over 120 passengers from 23 countries aboard the MV Hondius. The Director-General praised the Spanish government, local health workers, and port authorities for their professionalism, moral courage, and adherence to international health protocols. He highlighted that the passengers left with dignity, supported by a community that chose compassion over fear. The message also acknowledged the tragic loss of three passengers and a member of the Guardia Civil who died during the operation. Emphasizing that solidarity is the best immunity against crisis, the WHO chief commended Tenerife for setting a global example of humane crisis management. He concluded with a personal note, expressing his desire to return to the island as a visitor in the future, appreciating its beauty and the warmth of its people beyond the context of emergency response.
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