WHO declares end to hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship MV Hondius

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced Thursday that the hantavirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius has officially ended, following the completion of quarantine and negative tests for the last exposed individual.

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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.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, confirmed that no new cases have been reported since May 25. The outbreak, which sparked international alarm, involved 12 confirmed cases and one probable case, tragically resulting in three deaths. The Dutch-flagged ship had sailed from Ushuaia, Argentina, through South Atlantic islands before passengers were evacuated in Tenerife, Spain, and the ship later docked in Rotterdam.

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

Health authorities tracked and followed up with over 650 contacts across 33 countries and territories. While the immediate public health risk has passed, experts emphasize that the work to understand the virus and prevent future occurrences is just beginning. The WHO is coordinating a multi-country study involving 21 nations to deepen knowledge of the disease's development, which will aid in creating future diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines.

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We are also coordinating a study involving 21 countries to understand how the disease develops, which will support the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines for future outbreaks.

Hantavirus, spread by rodents, currently has no vaccines or specific treatments. The Andes strain involved in the MV Hondius outbreak is unique as it can transmit between humans. Although initial investigations in Argentina did not pinpoint virus-carrying rodents, the Andes virus remains a public health threat in South America and other endemic regions, requiring ongoing monitoring and preparedness efforts.

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However, Andes virus and other hantaviruses are still a public health threat for South America and some other endemic areas.