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Rachel V Thomas

Hantavirus Outbreak Linked To Luxury Cruise Ship Over, Says WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared the <span>hantavirus outbreak</span> linked to the <span>MV Hondius</span> luxury cruise ship over after the last person being monitored completed quarantine without developing the disease.

Speaking at a media briefing on July 2, WHO Director-General <span>Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus</span> said the final person under observation tested negative after completing the recommended 42-day quarantine period for <span>hantavirus</span> exposure.

The individual has since returned home, and no additional infections have been detected since May 25.

"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. No further cases have been reported since the 25th of May. Therefore, the WHO considers the <span>hantavirus outbreak over</span>," the WHO chief wrote on social media platform X.

The rat-borne virus outbreak infected 13 people and claimed three lives. It was caused by the <span>Andes strain</span> of hantavirus, which carries a risk of human-to-human transmission. There is currently no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for the virus.

The Dutch-flagged ship departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, visiting remote islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, including Tristan da Cunha, before heading to Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands, where the remaining passengers were evacuated.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/can-hantavirus-spread-through-semen-and-breast-milk-what-experts-say-article-154331715" data-type="tilCustomLink">Can Hantavirus Spread Through Semen And Breast Milk? What Experts Say</a>

<h2>Over 650 Contacts Traced Across 33 Countries</h2>

In an earlier post on X, Dr. Tedros said more than 650 contacts were identified and monitored by health authorities across 33 countries and territories.

"All but 54 contacts have completed their period of quarantine, and the remaining contacts are scheduled to complete their quarantine period by July 2," he told a press conference at WHO headquarters in Geneva.

"If no further cases are reported by then, WHO will consider the outbreak to be over," he added.

The WHO chief said the agency will continue efforts to better understand both the outbreak and the virus.

The UN health agency is working with partners who collected environmental samples from the ship and is coordinating a study among those exposed to better understand how the disease develops.

"We are also working on having a sample of the virus shared with the WHO BioHub in Switzerland," he said.

"This will be important for developing diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines for future outbreaks."

<h2>CDC Ends US Response</h2><strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/immunotherapy-shows-early-promise-against-severe-hantavirus-lung-disease-study-article-154459689" data-type="tilCustomLink">Immunotherapy Shows Early Promise Against Severe Hantavirus Lung Disease: Study</a>

Meanwhile, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially ended its hantavirus outbreak response on June 24.

The agency said none of the 18 Americans who were aboard the cruise ship became ill during the outbreak or the subsequent 42-day incubation period.

"The successful conclusion of this response demonstrates the strength of a coordinated response to infectious disease threats that occur outside of our borders," said CDC Acting Director Jay Bhattacharya in a statement.

"I am grateful for the world-class team at CDC, whose dedication and swift action helped identify potential exposures, provide clear guidance, and protect the American people. As a result, we prevented any new cases from arising in the US."

India Should Focus On More Hantavirus Surveillance: Dr NK Ganguly On Hantavirus Outbreak

According to the WHO, hantaviruses are zoonotic viruses that naturally infect rodents and are occasionally transmitted to humans.

Globally, an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 hantavirus infections occur each year, with the majority reported in Asia, particularly China. Most cases are sporadic or occur in small clusters linked to contact with infected rodents.

In humans, hantavirus infection can cause severe disease and may be fatal, although the clinical presentation varies depending on the virus strain and geographic region.

Hantavirus is primarily spread through contact with infected rodents, including exposure to:

<ul><li>Urine</li><li>Droppings</li><li>Saliva</li><li>Less commonly, scratches or bites from infected rodents.</li></ul>

Health Conditions A-Z

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Hantavirus Outbreak Over

Hantavirus Outbreak

MV Hondius

Andes strain

Hantavirus

rat borne virus

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared the hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius luxury cruise ship over after the last person being monitored completed quarantine without developing the disease.Speaking at a media briefing on July 2, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the final person under observation tested negative after completing the recommended 42-day quarantine period for hantavirus exposure.The individual has since returned home, and no additional infections have been detected since May 25."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. No further cases have been reported since the 25th of May. Therefore, the WHO considers the hantavirus outbreak over," the WHO chief wrote on social media platform X.  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. No further cases have been reported since the 25th of May. Therefore, @WHO considers the hantavirus outbreak over. pic.twitter.com/ePQnylyo0k&mdash; Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) July 2, 2026 ]]>The rat-borne virus outbreak infected 13 people and claimed three lives. It was caused by the Andes strain of hantavirus, which carries a risk of human-to-human transmission. There is currently no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for the virus.The Dutch-flagged ship departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, visiting remote islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, including Tristan da Cunha, before heading to Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands, where the remaining passengers were evacuated.Also read: Can Hantavirus Spread Through Semen And Breast Milk? What Experts SayOver 650 Contacts Traced Across 33 CountriesIn an earlier post on X, Dr. Tedros said more than 650 contacts were identified and monitored by health authorities across 33 countries and territories."All but 54 contacts have completed their period of quarantine, and the remaining contacts are scheduled to complete their quarantine period by July 2," he told a press conference at WHO headquarters in Geneva."If no further cases are reported by then, WHO will consider the outbreak to be over," he added.The WHO chief said the agency will continue efforts to better understand both the outbreak and the virus.The UN health agency is working with partners who collected environmental samples from the ship and is coordinating a study among those exposed to better understand how the disease develops."We are also working on having a sample of the virus shared with the WHO BioHub in Switzerland," he said."This will be important for developing diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines for future outbreaks."CDC Ends US ResponseRead More: Immunotherapy Shows Early Promise Against Severe Hantavirus Lung Disease: StudyMeanwhile, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially ended its hantavirus outbreak response on June 24.The agency said none of the 18 Americans who were aboard the cruise ship became ill during the outbreak or the subsequent 42-day incubation period."The successful conclusion of this response demonstrates the strength of a coordinated response to infectious disease threats that occur outside of our borders," said CDC Acting Director Jay Bhattacharya in a statement."I am grateful for the world-class team at CDC, whose dedication and swift action helped identify potential exposures, provide clear guidance, and protect the American people. As a result, we prevented any new cases from arising in the US."What Is Hantavirus?      According to the WHO, hantaviruses are zoonotic viruses that naturally infect rodents and are occasionally transmitted to humans.Globally, an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 hantavirus infections occur each year, with the majority reported in Asia, particularly China. Most cases are sporadic or occur in small clusters linked to contact with infected rodents.In humans, hantavirus infection can cause severe disease and may be fatal, although the clinical presentation varies depending on the virus strain and geographic region.How Does Hantavirus Spread?Hantavirus is primarily spread through contact with infected rodents, including exposure to:UrineDroppingsSalivaLess commonly, scratches or bites from infected rodents.

who declares luxury cruise ship-linked hantavirus outbreak over

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