Hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship declared over by WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared an end to the hantavirus outbreak that occurred on the cruise ship MV Hondius, following the completion of quarantine for the last exposed individual. The outbreak had raised international health concerns.

During the incident, there were 12 confirmed cases and one probable case of hantavirus stemming from the MV Hondius, resulting in three deaths. The virus has a significant incubation period, complicating containment efforts. The Dutch-flagged ship sailed from Ushuaia, Argentina, in early April, visiting remote South Atlantic islands before reaching Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands, where passengers were evacuated.

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Today, the final contact of a person exposed to hantavirus on the cruise ship MV Hondius completed their quarantine period, tested negative and returned home.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that the final contact completed their quarantine, tested negative, and returned home, with no new cases reported since May 25th. "We are therefore very pleased to say that WHO considers the outbreak of hantavirus over," he announced.

Health authorities worldwide monitored over 650 contacts across 33 countries and territories. The WHO is continuing research into the outbreak and the virus itself, coordinating a study involving 21 countries to understand disease development and aid in creating diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines for future potential outbreaks. Hantavirus, spread by rodents, is rare and lacks specific treatments or vaccines, though the Andes species involved in this outbreak is known to transmit between humans.

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No further cases have been reported since May 25th. We are therefore very pleased to say that WHO considers the outbreak of hantavirus over.