WHO Declares MV Hondius Hantavirus Outbreak Over

The hantavirus outbreak originating from the MV Hondius cruise ship has officially been declared over by the World Health Organization. The outbreak, which began in April after the ship departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, resulted in 13 confirmed and probable cases, including three deaths. Over 650 contacts were identified and monitored across 33 countries and territories, with the final contact completing quarantine and testing negative. The United States — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also ended its response in the United States after all exposed Americans completed their 42-day quarantine. The Canada — Public Health Agency of Canada similarly confirmed the end of isolation for Canadians and the recovery of a positive case. While the immediate crisis is resolved, the World Health Organization is coordinating a 21-country study to advance understanding of hantavirus and support the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines, particularly for the Andes virus strain, which is capable of human-to-human transmission.