WHO declares hantavirus outbreak on Dutch cruise ship over after three deaths

The World Health Organization declared on May 30, 2026 that the hantavirus outbreak aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius is over, after the last person in quarantine tested negative and returned home. The outbreak, first detected in April, resulted in 12 confirmed and one probable case, with three deaths. The ship had sailed from Ushuaia, Argentina, visited remote islands including Tristan da Cunha, and docked at Granadilla de Abona in Tenerife, Spain's Canary Islands on May 10 before passengers were evacuated. It later docked in Rotterdam on May 18, was cleaned, and cleared to sail again on May 30. WHO tracked over 650 contacts across 33 countries and territories and will coordinate a 21-country study to improve diagnostics, treatments and future vaccines. Hantavirus is spread by rodents; the Andes strain involved can spread person-to-person, unlike most hantaviruses. While the virus is not endemic in Nigeria, the episode highlights the risk of rodent-borne diseases for travelers. Nigerians planning trips to rural parts of South Africa or other endemic areas should avoid contact with rodents, keep food sealed, and seek medical care promptly if they develop fever, muscle aches or breathing problems after potential exposure. With the outbreak declared over, what preventive steps will you take when traveling to regions where rodent-borne viruses are known to circulate?

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/07/02/who-declares-cruise-ship-hantavirus-outbreak-over/