We’re closing in on ending Hantavirus outbreak — WHO

Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, says the international response to the recent Hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship has brought the world closer to ending the health emergency.

According to him, the number of cases has remained unchanged while the majority of contacts identified across several countries have successfully completed their monitoring period.

Dr Tedros made the remarks in a social media post on Tuesday, June 23, while providing an update on the outbreak linked to the MV Hondius expedition cruise ship.

"Cases are holding steady at 13, including three deaths. We’re closing in on ending this outbreak," he stated.

The WHO chief disclosed that more than 600 contacts of infected persons have been traced across 33 countries and territories.

He said over 80 per cent of those contacts have completed the mandatory 42-day follow-up period, while the captain of the MV Hondius and most crew members have also completed quarantine.

Dr Tedros commended the ship's captain and crew for their role in helping to contain the outbreak and ensuring the safety of passengers.

"Huge thanks to Captain Jan Dobrogowski and crew members of MV Hondius for their leadership in keeping passengers safe. And deep appreciation to Spain, the Netherlands, Cabo Verde, South Africa and the UK for their critical role in the response," he said.

The outbreak was first reported in May after cases of severe respiratory illness emerged aboard the Dutch-flagged expedition vessel during an international voyage.

According to the WHO, the outbreak involved the Andes strain of hantavirus, which is the only known hantavirus capable of limited human-to-human transmission through close contact.

The MV Hondius carried passengers and crew from several countries, prompting a large international contact-tracing exercise involving health authorities across multiple continents.