WHO: Hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship may end July 2 with no new cases

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that a deadly Hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, which sparked international concern, could be declared over on July 2. The ship departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, visiting remote South Atlantic islands including Tristan da Cunha.

Upon reaching Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands, all remaining passengers were evacuated. The outbreak included 12 confirmed Hantavirus cases, one suspected case, and three fatalities, triggering global public health alerts. Hantavirus is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodent excreta or inhalation of contaminated dust, with initial symptoms like fever and headache potentially leading to severe internal organ damage and death.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated at a press conference in Geneva that over 650 contacts have been identified and are being monitored by health authorities in 33 countries and regions. He noted that all but 54 contacts have finished their isolation periods, with the remaining expected to conclude by July 2. If no new cases appear by then, the WHO will consider the outbreak concluded. The organization will continue efforts to understand the outbreak and the virus itself.