By Ayomide Awe
The World Health Organisation has officially closed the chapter on a hantavirus outbreak that rattled passengers and health authorities after cases were linked to a polar cruise vessel, saying the threat is now contained.
Announcing the development on Thursday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the last individual exposed aboard the MV Hondius had finished quarantine, tested negative and was discharged.
“Since May 25, no additional infections have been recorded. We are therefore confident to declare the hantavirus outbreak over,” Tedros told reporters.
The episode involved the Andes strain of hantavirus, a rare form known to pass between people and previously confined to parts of Argentina and Chile.
Health officials confirmed 13 cases traced to the ship, with three fatalities.
The Dutch-flagged MV Hondius left Argentina on April 1 for a voyage to remote South Atlantic islands before sailing to Spain’s Canary Islands, where passengers were evacuated. It berthed in Rotterdam on May 18 and resumed operations weeks later after a deep decontamination exercise.
To halt spread, authorities tracked more than 650 people across 33 countries and territories who had come into contact with passengers or crew.
WHO said the response has ended, but research will continue. The agency is backing a 21-country study to better understand how the virus progresses and to speed up work on diagnostics, treatments and possible vaccines.
“Outbreaks like this remind us that emerging viruses can surface anywhere, including on a ship at sea. Surveillance must stay strong,” Tedros added.
