The World Health Organisation (WHO) has requested weekly updates from participating countries through the International Health Regulations platform on the health status of passengers and crew.

Many on the ship have already returned to their home countries, as the WHO described the operation as a “triumph of solidarity”.

The repatriation, coordinated by Spanish authorities with support from the WHO, the European Union, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and multiple governments, concluded an emergency operation that has drawn global attention following an outbreak of Andes hantavirus on board.

WHO said 9 cases have now been linked to the vessel, including 7 laboratory‑confirmed infections and 3 deaths. One additional case remains under investigation after an inconclusive test result.

Operation executed as planned

WHO Director‑General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, present in Tenerife to oversee the response, praised Spain for executing the operation “in style and as planned”. Ghebreyesus thanked the Spanish Government, regional authorities in Tenerife, European partners, and the ship’s crew for coordination throughout the crisis.

The final group of passengers departed the Canary Islands on specially arranged flights on Monday. More than 30 crew members and 2 health workers remained on board as the ship continued to Rotterdam.

WHO confirmed that no passengers travelled on commercial flights. Returning countries have been urged to implement strict monitoring measures, including 42 days of isolation or quarantine from May 10, reflecting the virus’s long incubation period.

WHO Head of Epidemiology and Analytics Olivier Le Polain said the outbreak remains confined, while cautioning that additional cases could still emerge weeks later due to delayed symptom onset.

WHO officials also highlighted the strain experienced by passengers and crew after weeks at sea, noting that repatriation aimed both to limit transmission risk and to ensure access to appropriate care and support. “This is not another COVID-19,” Ghebreyesus said, urging continued compassion and solidarity as monitoring continues.