Brussels, 7 May (LaPresse) – "The situation is being closely monitored and the current preliminary assessment indicates a low risk to the general public. Protecting public health remains the top priority. We remain vigilant, are closely monitoring the situation and are working in close coordination with all the authorities in the Member States concerned, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), to ensure a rapid and effective response at every stage." This was reported by the European Commission’s spokesperson for Health, Eva Hrncirova, when asked about the situation on the cruise ship MV Hondius, on board which an outbreak of Hantavirus has occurred. The European Commission is organising a follow-up meeting today of the Health Security Committee, the main forum for coordination with Member States on health preparedness and response, with the participation of the WHO and the ECDC, as well as EU countries and those in the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) whose citizens are on board the ship and are due to be repatriated. Meanwhile, the European Commission has been ‘in close contact’ with the Spanish authorities, who have activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. ‘We are staying in touch to assess needs and possible support,’ the spokesperson added. The ECDC sent an expert from the EU Health Task Force to board the ship yesterday, 6 May. The ECDC currently assesses the risk as very low for the EU/EEA.