Reacción a "The cruise ship affected by hantavirus has arrived in Tenerife, where it will anchor to facilitate the repatriation of the passengers and part of the crew"

Sea voyages have always, by their very nature—with people confined to small spaces in close proximity—led to the spread of infectious diseases, necessitating a period of quarantine in lazarettos before ships could enter safe harbours. The presence of rats, mice, insects and arthropods on ships has been a constant feature, mitigated over the centuries by improvements in hygiene, sanitation and environmental conditions.

However, not all infectious diseases are the same in terms of their transmissibility and lethality. We have recently seen cases of hantavirus on a luxury cruise ship where several people have fallen ill and died, causing widespread alarm; a level of media coverage not seen since the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating that fear remains. However, the movement of people, animals and trade, the increasing encroachment by humans on animal habitats, and the risk of zoonotic disease transmission—but also the speed at which we travel—means we can reach any part of the world faster than the incubation period of an infectious disease. And whilst we are aware of the transmission and low fatality rate of this virus, this will undoubtedly happen again with other pathogens – of course it will – and we must be prepared.

On the one hand, by investing in epidemiological surveillance; on the other, by applying the protocols that exist and are periodically reviewed in light of different emergency situations. Protocols such as those drawn up by this country’s government, which are aligned with the protocols set by supranational bodies such as the WHO; always based on collaboration with the top-level professional experts we have, who possess the training and experience to handle such situations, and with a healthcare system that, though strained, remains strong and capable of responding to these threats. But, above all, there is the fundamental need to work in a coordinated and constructive manner together: politicians, scientists, non-governmental organisations and civil society, understanding that this ‘war’ against infectious diseases is long and will be tough, perhaps with small victories in some battles, but one that will keep us constantly on our guard. Our survival as a species depends on it.