WHO declares cruise ship-linked hantavirus outbreak over

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on July 2 that a dangerous hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship is officially over. The outbreak started on a ship called the MV Hondius, which sailed through the South Atlantic Ocean earlier this year. The WHO made the announcement after the last person who had been exposed to the virus finished quarantine and tested negative.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus shared the good news at a press conference. He said the final contact of someone exposed to the virus on the MV Hondius had completed their quarantine, tested negative, and returned home. No new cases had been reported since May 25, which meant the outbreak was truly over.

In total, there were 12 confirmed cases and one probable case of hantavirus connected to the ship. Sadly, three people died from the illness. Health officials in 33 countries and territories followed up with more than 650 people who may have come into contact with the virus.

The MV Hondius set sail on April 1 from Ushuaia, Argentina. It visited remote islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, including a place called Tristan da Cunha. The ship eventually headed north to Tenerife, in Spain's Canary Islands, where the remaining passengers were evacuated.

Even though the outbreak is over, scientists and health experts say their work is far from finished. They want to learn as much as possible from what happened on the MV Hondius. Understanding how the disease spread on the ship could help prevent future outbreaks.

The WHO is now leading a study with 21 countries to learn more about how hantavirus develops in the body. This research could help scientists create better tests, treatments, and vaccines for the future. Right now, there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments for hantavirus.

Hantavirus is a rare virus that is normally spread by rodents, such as mice and rats. The type of hantavirus found on the ship is called the Andes strain. It is the only known strain of hantavirus that can spread from one person to another, which is what made this outbreak especially concerning to experts around the world.