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WHO confirms five cases of hantavirus linked to cruise ship

Published May 7, 2026, 06:00 PM UTC · Source: Al Jazeera

The World Health Organization on 7 May 2026 confirmed 5 hantavirus cases linked to the MV Hondius cluster. Director-General Tedros said the outbreak is 'not the next COVID' but warned cases may rise given the up-to-6-week incubation. WHO has deployed an expert on board and shipped 2,500 diagnostic kits to 5 countries.

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