The World Health Organization has declared the hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius over after the final identified contact completed quarantine and tested negative.
In a statement, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the last person known to have been exposed to the virus had completed their quarantine period, tested negative, and returned 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," Tedros said.
"No further cases have been reported since the 25th of May. Therefore, WHO considers the hantavirus outbreak over."
According to the statement, no additional cases have been reported since May 25, prompting WHO to declare the outbreak over.
The announcement signals that all public health measures put in place to prevent further spread have been completed successfully.
Under international outbreak response protocols, health authorities monitored individuals who had close contact with infected people throughout the incubation period to ensure no additional infections emerged.
The outbreak prompted coordinated efforts involving national health authorities, the cruise operator, and WHO to identify, monitor, and manage individuals who may have been exposed during the voyage aboard the MV Hondius.
These measures included contact tracing, health monitoring, testing where necessary, and quarantine for those considered at risk of infection.
Hantaviruses are a group of viruses primarily carried by rodents and are typically transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents or exposure to their urine, droppings, or saliva.
People may become infected by inhaling virus particles that become airborne when contaminated materials are disturbed.
Less commonly, infection can occur through rodent bites or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the nose, mouth, or eyes.
Human-to-human transmission is considered extremely rare and has only been documented for certain strains of hantavirus, particularly the Andes virus found in parts of South America.
Most hantavirus infections worldwide occur through environmental exposure rather than direct transmission between people.
Depending on the virus involved, hantavirus infection can cause serious illnesses, including hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) or hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), both of which can be severe and require prompt medical care.
WHO's declaration that the outbreak is over indicates there is no evidence of ongoing transmission linked to the cruise ship.
The successful completion of surveillance and monitoring efforts demonstrates the effectiveness of rapid case detection, contact tracing, quarantine, and international collaboration in containing infectious disease events while minimising the risk of wider spread.
Although the outbreak has ended, health experts continue to emphasise the importance of maintaining vigilance for rodent-borne diseases, particularly in environments where contact with rodents or their habitats may occur.
Early recognition of symptoms, timely diagnosis, and strong public health surveillance remain essential tools for preventing future outbreaks.
