WHO declares cruise-linked hantavirus outbreak officially over
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a hantavirus outbreak officially over. This outbreak, linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius, infected 13 people and resulted in three deaths. The final individual exposed to the virus has completed quarantine and tested negative. Health authorities tracked over 650 contacts across 33 countries and territories. The cruise ship sailed from Argentina on April 1, visiting remote South Atlantic islands before reaching Tenerife and eventually docking in Rotterdam on May 18. The WHO will continue studying the outbreak and the Andes hantavirus strain to aid in future prevention and treatment.