The Commission is coordinating the European response to the hantavirus outbreak

The European Commission is taking steps to coordinate and support the responses of national authorities to the hantavirus outbreak.

Currently, theEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Controlconsiders the risk to the general public in Europeto be very low, given that appropriate infection prevention and control measures are being implemented and that hantaviruses are not easily transmitted between people.

The EU Civil Protection Mechanism facilitated safe evacuations.

SinceSpainactivated theEU Civil Protection Mechanismon 6 May, theEUEmergency Response Coordination Centrehas been facilitating the safe evacuation of those on board the cruise ship MV Hondius.

On Sunday 10 May, five repatriation flights coordinated and co-funded by the EU had already taken place. These flights, which departed from Tenerife, where the cruise ship was anchored, were operated by France, Spain, the Netherlands, Greece and Ireland. A sixth and final flight is taking place today, operated by the Netherlands.

The Commission is also mobilising response capabilities andstrategicreserves. It has deployed a medical evacuation aircraft from the EU fleet, based in Norway, to Tenerife. Additional transport, logistical capacity and protective equipment are on standby, ready to be deployed if necessary.

The Emergency Response Coordination Centre deployed a liaison officer to Tenerife to support on-site coordination with the relevant authorities throughout the operation. TheEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Controldeployed two experts from the EU Health Task Force on board the ship prior to the disembarkation of passengers.

Facilitating a common approach among Member States and global partners.

In addition to the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the Commission is also supporting the health response to the hantavirus outbreak. It is driving a joint European response, working closely with Spain (where the cruise ship passengers disembarked), Member States, countries participating in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the ECDC, the World Health Organisation and G7 partners.

TheHealth Security Committee, chaired by the Commission, brings together national health authorities and helps to harmonise measures for the safe disembarkation, repatriation and monitoring of passengers.

Coordination is ongoing, with daily meetings of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the Health Security Committee and specific multilateral contacts. This enables authorities to share the latest information, adjust operational plans, follow up on any potential cases and maintain a coordinated European response as the situation evolves.

The Commission’s priority is to protect citizens, support those directly affected and help Member States to act swiftly and jointly, based on the latest evidence.

The Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, stated:

Health threats can easily cross borders, which is why coordination is essential. The Commission is working tirelessly to ensure that response measures are swift and effective, and that support is available where it is needed. A health crisis knows no borders. Neither does our response.

The Commissioner for Animal Health and Welfare, Olivér Várhelyi, said:

We are closely monitoring the hantavirus outbreak and remain ready to support Member States. Whilst the risk to the general population in Europe is currently considered very low, we remain vigilant and are working closely with the ECDC, national authorities and international partners to ensure a coordinated and evidence-based response. The Commission has various EU instruments at its disposal to coordinate actions, mobilise expertise and provide assistance where necessary.

Background

Hantaviruses were included in the 2025 comprehensive health threat prioritisation assessmentfor medical countermeasures, as part of the Commission’s broader preparedness planning. Consequently, the Commission has been funding the development ofmedical countermeasuresagainst this health threat. Competitive calls for proposals were organised to advance promising vaccines and therapies against hantaviruses.  

Therevised 2022 Regulation on serious cross-border threatsto health provides a robust legal framework for enhancing the EU’s capacity in the vital areas of prevention, preparedness, surveillance, risk assessment, early warning and response. One such mechanism is the EU Health Task Force, led by the ECDC, through which experts can be deployed to support countries in Europe and around the world, offering advice on operational response to outbreaks and preparedness for crises related to communicable diseases or those of unknown origin.

Any country can request assistance through theEUCivil Protection Mechanism. TheEmergency Response Coordination Centrecoordinates and mobilises support, which includes emergency medical teams, mobile laboratories, countermeasures and medical equipment, and medical experts. It can also coordinate and co-fund medical evacuations or repatriation flights, depending on the needs identified.

More information: European Commission.