'This disease is not Covid', says WHO Director-General about Hantavirus

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Saturday (May 9) that the Hantavirus disease "is not Covid".

Ghebreyesus was speaking at a press conference in the port of Granadilla De Abona, where the Hantavius-hit cruise ship is due to anchor on Sunday (May 10).

He said that the Covid concern is valid as the 'trauma is still in our minds'.

He added however that the risk to the local Spanish population is low.

The World Health Organisation briefed member states with nationals on board on Saturday on how to manage the process, advising active monitoring of passengers for a 42-day period from the last point of exposure.

The ship is expected to anchor near the island between 0300 GMT and 0500 GMT.

Production: Leonardo Benassatto, Reim Nahaboo/Reuters