GENEVA -- The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday that all people aboard a cruise ship affected by a hantavirus outbreak should be considered "high-risk" contacts and actively monitored for 42 days.
"We classify everybody on board as what we call a high-risk contact," Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, told a media briefing. She noted that currently "nobody on board has any symptoms," but recommended "active monitoring and follow-up of all the passengers and crew who disembark for a 42-day period." (WHO-Hantavirus)
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MADRID -- Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia said on Saturday that the cruise ship MV Hondius is expected to arrive at the port of Granadilla on the Spanish island of Tenerife between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. local time (0300-0500 GMT) on Sunday, as authorities continue to monitor a hantavirus outbreak linked to the vessel.
Speaking to the media, Garcia said the first step upon the ship's arrival would be to check whether any passengers show symptoms of the virus. Passengers will disembark wearing face masks, she added. (Spain-MV Hondius-Hantabirus)
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LONDON -- Britian is sending destroyer HMS Dragon the Eastern Mediterranean to the Middle East amid preparations for a possible multinational mission to safeguard shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, British media said on Saturday.
The move would allow the destroyer to contribute immediately, if needed, to a future operation aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation in the waterway, Sky News quoted Britain's Ministry of Defence as saying. (UK-France-Strait of Hormuz-HMS Dragon)
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BUDAPEST -- Peter Magyar was sworn in as Hungary's prime minister on Saturday after winning a parliamentary vote at the inaugural session of the new National Assembly, pledging to "change the system."
A total of 195 out of the 199 members of parliament cast votes, with 140 in favor, 54 against and 1 abstentions. Magyar, leader of Hungary's Tisza Party, secured the required majority to be elected prime minister, marking the start of his four-year term. (Hungary-New PM) ■
