WHO Declares End of Hantavirus Outbreak
The World Health Organization on Thursday declared the hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship over after the last identified contact of an exposed person completed quarantine and tested negative for the virus.
The outbreak, which infected 13 people and killed three, involved the Andes virus, a rare hantavirus strain that typically circulates in Argentina and Chile. The cruise ship, MV Hondius, set off from Argentina on 1 April.
Details of the Outbreak
The MV Hondius cruise ship was the epicenter of the outbreak, with cases emerging among passengers and crew. The Andes virus is known for its potential for person-to-person transmission, which raised concerns during the outbreak.
According to the WHO, the last person under monitoring completed the quarantine period and tested negative, marking the end of the outbreak. No new cases have been reported since the initial cluster.
Impact and Response
The outbreak resulted in three deaths among the 13 confirmed cases. Health authorities in Argentina and Chile collaborated with the WHO to contain the spread. The cruise ship was quarantined and all passengers and crew were tested.
This is a developing story. More details soon.
