WHO Ends 13-Case Cruise Hantavirus Outbreak After Final Contact Tests Negative
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jul 2
WHO Ends 13-Case Cruise Hantavirus Outbreak After Final Contact Tests Negative
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jul 2
Summary
WHO said the MV Hondius outbreak is over after the last identified contact finished quarantine, tested negative and returned home; no new cases have been reported since May 25.
13 people were infected and three died in the outbreak, which involved the rare Andes hantavirus strain linked to the cruise ship that sailed from Argentina on April 1.
More than 650 contacts were traced across 33 countries and territories before the ship was cleaned, disinfected and cleared to sail again on May 30.
Tedros said WHO is still studying the outbreak and coordinating research in 21 countries to improve diagnostics, treatments and vaccines for future cases.