The WHO declares hantavirus outbreak over after confirming that the international health emergency linked to the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius has officially ended. The announcement followed the completion of quarantine by the final identified contact, who tested negative before returning home.
The decision marks the end of a global public health response that involved dozens of countries and extensive contact tracing after a rare strain of hantavirus emerged aboard the cruise vessel.
WHO Confirms the End of the Outbreak
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, announced the development on Thursday.
He said the final person identified as having been exposed to the virus completed the required quarantine period. The individual also tested negative before travelling home.
“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,” Mr Ghebreyesus said.
He added that no additional infections had been recorded since 25 May.
“No further cases have been reported since 25 May. We are therefore very pleased to say that WHO considers the outbreak of hantavirus over.”
The announcement officially closes an outbreak that attracted international attention because of the unusual virus strain involved.
Rare Andes Virus Prompted Global Health Response
Health experts confirmed that the infections aboard the MV Hondius resulted from the Andes virus, a rare form of hantavirus.
Unlike most hantaviruses, which spread only from infected rodents to humans, the Andes virus can pass between people through close contact. That rare characteristic increased concern among public health officials.
The outbreak affected passengers and crew members on the expedition cruise ship. Consequently, WHO coordinated an international response involving more than 20 countries.
Health authorities traced over 650 people who had possible contact with infected individuals. Officials also carried out testing, quarantine measures, and continuous surveillance to stop further transmission.
These coordinated efforts helped prevent wider international spread.
WHO Continues Research Despite Outbreak Ending
Although WHO has declared the emergency over, research into the virus will continue.
Mr Ghebreyesus said the organisation will work with governments and scientific partners to improve understanding of hantaviruses and the recent outbreak.
WHO has already launched a multinational research project involving 21 countries.
The study will examine how the disease develops and spreads. Researchers also hope the findings will support better diagnostic tools, more effective treatments, and future vaccines.
The WHO chief thanked several countries for supporting the international response under the International Health Regulations.
He specifically acknowledged Argentina, Cabo Verde, Chile, the Netherlands, South Africa, and the United Kingdom for their cooperation.
He also praised Spain for assisting with the safe disembarkation and repatriation of passengers and crew members through Tenerife.
Nigeria Maintains Vigilance Despite No Confirmed Cases
The WHO declaration comes almost two months after the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) assured Nigerians that the country had not recorded any hantavirus infections.
The agency intensified surveillance for emerging infectious diseases while closely monitoring developments surrounding the cruise ship outbreak.
In a public health advisory released in May, the NCDC confirmed there was no evidence of local transmission in Nigeria.
However, the agency urged healthcare workers to remain alert and report any suspected cases without delay.
According to the NCDC, rodents remain the primary carriers of hantaviruses. People usually become infected after exposure to contaminated rodent urine, saliva, droppings, or dust.
Common symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headaches, and stomach-related illness.
In severe cases, patients may develop life-threatening respiratory complications.
The NCDC also reminded the public that the outbreak aboard the MV Hondius involved the Andes virus strain, which differs from most hantaviruses because it allows limited human-to-human transmission through close contact.
The announcement that WHO declares hantavirus outbreak over marks the successful conclusion of a closely monitored international health response.
Swift cooperation among health agencies, governments, and researchers helped contain the rare Andes virus outbreak before it spread further.
Even so, WHO and national health authorities will continue surveillance and scientific research to strengthen preparedness for future outbreaks involving hantaviruses or other emerging infectious diseases.
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