Maria Van Kerkhove

Maria Van Kerkhove, the World Health Organization's technical lead for COVID-19, has recently been in the news regarding potential human-to-human transmission of hantavirus. While typically spread from rodents, Van Kerkhove stated that the WHO believes the virus may have spread between "really close contacts" on the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius. This statement comes after reports of a British crew member requiring urgent medical evacuation due to illness, and following the deaths of three passengers on the same vessel. Van Kerkhove emphasized that such person-to-person transmission of hantavirus is rare and that the risk to the public remains low. Her comments highlight the WHO's role in monitoring and providing expert guidance on emerging public health concerns, even those outside of the COVID-19 pandemic.