WHO Declares End to Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship MV Hondius
The World Health Organization on Thursday declared the hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius officially over, after the last exposed person completed quarantine and tested negative. The rodent-borne disease infected at least 12 people and caused three deaths, triggering a global health alert. The outbreak began when the Dutch-flagged ship departed April 1 from Ushuaia, Argentina, visiting remote South Atlantic islands including Tristan da Cunha, before heading to Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands, where remaining passengers were evacuated. No further cases have been reported since May 25. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed the end of the outbreak, though scientists continue to study the episode to prevent future occurrences.
Key facts
- WHO declared the hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius over on Thursday.
- The outbreak infected at least 12 people and killed three.
- The last exposed person completed quarantine and tested negative.
- No further cases have been reported since May 25.
- The MV Hondius is a Dutch-flagged cruise ship.
- The ship departed April 1 from Ushuaia, Argentina.
- It visited remote islands including Tristan da Cunha.
- Remaining passengers were evacuated in Tenerife, Canary Islands.
Entities
Institutions
- World Health Organization
- MV Hondius
Locations
- Ushuaia
- Argentina
- Tristan da Cunha
- Tenerife
- Canary Islands
- Spain
- South Atlantic Ocean