The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared the hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius as over, following more than five weeks without any new reported cases.
The announcement came after the last identified close contact completed quarantine, tested negative, and was cleared to return home, according to Xinhua.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in his opening remarks at a press briefing on Thursday that no new cases had been reported since 25 May, confirming the end of the outbreak.
“Today, the last identified contact of a person exposed to hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius has completed quarantine, tested negative and returned home. No further cases have been reported since 25 May. We are therefore pleased to announce that WHO considers this outbreak over,” he said.
The organisation had been notified of the outbreak on 2 May by the United Kingdom’s International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point, involving a cluster of severe acute respiratory illness cases on a Netherlands-registered cruise vessel.
A total of 13 cases were recorded, including three deaths, while more than 650 contacts were identified and monitored by health authorities.
Several countries, including Argentina, Cabo Verde, Chile, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain and the United Kingdom, assisted in managing the situation under international health regulations, including the safe disembarkation and repatriation of passengers and crew.
Despite the outbreak being declared over, WHO said it will continue working with governments and partners to improve global understanding of hantavirus and strengthen preparedness for future outbreaks.
