Former Health Minister Karl Lauterbach of the SPD stated that there is no current danger of a pandemic stemming from the Hantavirus. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post” Lauterbach assured the public that the situation is not threatening for the German population. He explained that a pandemic is unlikely because the virus’s transmissibility is insufficient to cause one. While the chairman of the Bundestag research committee acknowledged that isolated cases will occur, he emphasized that rapid spread is currently not to be feared. The source of concern stemmed from the cruise ship “Hondius” which was affected by a Hantavirus outbreak and arrived off the coast of Tenerife. Passengers aboard, including several Germans, were managed under strict security measures, transferred to a nearby airport, and promptly flown back to their respective home countries.