WHO declares hantavirus outbreak from cruise ship over; Nigeria reports no cases

WHO declared the hantavirus outbreak linked to the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius over on Thursday, after the last known contact completed quarantine, tested negative and returned home. No new cases have been reported since 25 May. The outbreak, caused by the Andes virus strain—which allows limited human‑to‑human transmission—led to the tracing of more than 650 contacts across dozens of countries, with Spain facilitating the safe disembarkation of passengers and crew in Tenerife. For Nigerians, the news is reassuring: the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control had already said no hantavirus cases were detected in the country despite global concern, and it had intensified surveillance for emerging infectious diseases. While the immediate threat has passed, rodents remain carriers of hantaviruses, which spread through contact with rodent urine, droppings, saliva or contaminated dust, causing fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headaches and gastrointestinal illness, with severe cases progressing to respiratory complications. What should you do? Keep your home free of rodents, avoid contact with wild rats or their waste, and seek medical care promptly if you develop unexplained fever or flu‑like symptoms. Stay updated through NCDC advisories and practice basic hygiene to reduce the risk of rodent‑borne diseases.

SOURCE: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/892591-who-declares-international-hantavirus-outbreak-over.html