. MADRID (AP) — World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned residents of Spain not to panic as a “hantavirus-infested” ship approaches the Canary Islands. He clarified that the current situation was “not like any other coronavirus pandemic” and that the public health risk was low at present.

There were more than 140 passengers and crew on board the Netherlands-flagged ship MV Hondius. The ship is expected to arrive on Sunday morning on the island of Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands, off the coast of West Africa.

Tedros, Spain’s Health Minister Monica Garcia and Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlasca arrived in Tenerife on Saturday to coordinate the evacuation of passengers and crew.

Addressing the residents, Tedros said it was natural for people to be worried as the pain of the past pandemic was still fresh. He, however, stressed that the current situation of hantavirus is not like that of a coronavirus epidemic and that the risk is under control.

Spanish authorities and the WHO said none of the passengers were asymptomatic. The concerned authorities are continuously monitoring the health condition of the passengers.

Hantavirus is a virus that is transmitted by rodents and other rodents. The infection can cause serious health problems, including fever, fatigue, difficulty in breathing. However, experts say that the current situation is under control.