Thursday, 4 June 2026, 13:00–14:00 (CEST)
Background
The complex multi-country response to the hantavirus outbreak linked to cruise ship travel is an unprecedented test of the global border health system.
This public health event has triggered an internationally coordinated multisectoral response involving multiple countries across the globe, the WHO Secretariat, conveyance operators, and partners in the public health, travel, transport, or foreign affairs, to name a few. It has also prompted an unprecedented use of the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005), particularly its provisions related to points of entry, affected conveyances, and travellers (Part V), health documents (Part VI), as well as the related annexes. For this reason, the outbreak has been described as a ‘quintessential border health event’.
As of 21 May 2026, a total of 13 cases, including three deaths, have been reported. Public health response efforts continue in all countries involved, including information sharing for international contact tracing purposes through the National IHR Focal Point (NFP) network. WHO has assessed the risk posed by this event to the global population as low and continues to monitor the epidemiological situation and update the risk assessment as needed.
This EPI‑WIN webinar will provide an opportunity to hear from key border health stakeholders on their involvement in and initial reflections about this particular multi-country response, as well as their routine collaborative work for the management of public health events across borders, at points of entry, and onboard conveyances.
Objectives
- To share experiences from national public health authorities and key border health stakeholders on their involvement in and initial reflections about the response to this multi-country public health event linked to cruise ship travel.
- To share experiences from national public health authorities and key border health stakeholders on the collaborative work for the management of public health events across borders, at points of entry, and onboard conveyances.
Agenda and Speakers
Introduction: EPI-WIN Science and Knowledge Translation, WHO
Welcome remarks: Stella Chungong, Director, Department of Health Emergency Preparedness (HSP), WHO
Countries' initial reflections from a BH/PoE perspective:
Miguel Dávila-Cornejo, Deputy Assistant Director of Foreign Health, Ministry of Health, Spain
Nidia García-Marín, Head of Foreign Health in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Ministry of Health, Spain
Thijs Veenstra, Senior policy adviser, Expert group Points of Entry, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Netherlands
Routine management of public health events on board conveyances:
Barbara Mouchtouri, Professor of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Thessaly, Greece – WHO Collaborating Centre for IHR: Points of Entry
Facilitation role and WHO collaboration regarding public health management in maritime sector:
Julian Abril Garcia, Head, Facilitation Section, Maritime Safety Division, International Maritime Organization (IMO)
Role of maritime medical doctors:
Sue Stannard, President, International Maritime Health Association (IMHA)
Facilitation role and WHO collaboration re public health management aviation sector:
Johanna Jordaan, Chief, Aviation Medicine Section, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
Role of airline medical professionals:
Rui Pombal, Medical Advisor, International Air Transport Association (IATA)
JAG-TSC on the protection of transport workers and supply chains during health emergencies:
Alejandra Cruz-Ross, Transport Specialist, International Labour Organization (ILO)
Initial reflections on management of crew during hantavirus response vis-à-vis lessons learnt from
COVID-19:
Roberto Salvador, OIC Director, Philippines Bureau of Quarantine, Department of Health
Lotis Love Casiple-De Guzman, Medical Officer, Philippines Bureau of Quarantine, Department of Health
Interactive Q&A with speakers:
Sara Barragan Montes, Technical officer (Border health & Points of Entry), Border, Mass Gatherings & Health Protection Measures, HSP, WHO
Conclusion: Ninglan Wang, Unit Head, Border, Mass Gatherings & Health Protection Measures, HSP, WHO
Closing and next EPI-WIN: EPI-WIN Science and Knowledge Translation, WHO