WHO Confirms End of Hantavirus Outbreak Tied to Cruise Ship
WHO:
ABC News - WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated, "Although the outbreak is over, WHO will continue working with governments and partners to advance our understanding of this outbreak and of hantavirus more generally."
BBC - The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the end of the hantavirus outbreak.
ABC News - WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus provided updates on the outbreak.
WHAT:
BBC - The outbreak infected 13 people and killed three, with at least two deaths confirmed.
ABC News - The last identified contact of an exposed person completed quarantine and tested negative for the virus.
ABC News - The total number of identified contacts followed up by health authorities in 33 countries and territories exceeded 650.
ABC News - The outbreak involved the Andes virus, a rare hantavirus strain that typically circulates in Argentina and Chile.
ABC News - The WHO confirmed that all cases of hantavirus were among passengers or crew members on the MV Hondius.
ABC News - The last identified contact of an exposed person completed quarantine and tested negative for the virus.
ABC News - At least 11 confirmed cases tested positive for Andes virus, a rare strain of hantavirus known to transmit between people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
BBC - The WHO declared the hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship is over.
ABC News - A total of 13 cases of hantavirus were reported, including 12 confirmed cases and one probable case.
ABC News - There were three deaths associated with the outbreak, with at least two confirmed.
ABC News - No further cases have been reported since May 25.
ABC News - The recommended quarantine and monitoring period for hantavirus exposure is 42 days.
ABC News - Quarantine ended for 18 Americans who were cruise ship passengers exposed to hantavirus.
WHERE:
ABC News - The cruise ship MV Hondius was docked at the industrial port of Granadilla de Abona on the island of Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands.
ABC News - Health authorities in 33 countries and territories followed up on contacts related to the outbreak.
WHEN:
The cruise ship MV Hondius set off from Argentina on April 1.
ABC News - The WHO received notification on May 2 of a cluster of "severe acute respiratory illness" aboard the MV Hondius.
ABC News - Passengers were transferred to the port on May 10, 2026.
WHY:
ABC News - The working hypothesis is that the first case was infected with hantavirus while on land before boarding the cruise ship.
HOW:
ABC News - The recommended isolation period for passengers exposed to hantavirus is 42 days, as symptoms can appear between two to four weeks after exposure.
ABC News - WHO is coordinating a study involving 21 countries to understand how hantavirus develops, which will support the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines for future outbreaks.
ABC News - WHO is coordinating a study involving 21 countries to understand how the disease develops, which will support the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines for future outbreaks.
ABC News - More than 650 contacts were identified and followed up by health authorities.
ABC News - WHO is coordinating a study involving 21 countries to understand the disease's development and support diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines for future outbreaks.
(UPDATED July 3, 2026 17:27 UTC)
A recent outbreak has infected 13 people and resulted in three confirmed deaths, according to reports from the BBC. Fortunately, the last identified contact of an exposed individual has completed quarantine and tested negative for the virus, as noted by ABC News. Health officials recommend a 42-day isolation period for passengers exposed to hantavirus, since symptoms can develop anywhere from two to four weeks after exposure.
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(UPDATED July 3, 2026 07:59 UTC)
The World Health Organization has announced that while the recent outbreak is over, they will continue collaborating with governments and partners to deepen our understanding of hantavirus. Health authorities have identified and followed up with over 650 contacts across 33 countries and territories. To further this effort, the WHO is coordinating a study involving 21 countries aimed at understanding the development of hantavirus, which will aid in creating diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines for any future outbreaks.
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(UPDATED July 3, 2026 06:12 UTC)
An outbreak of the Andes virus, a rare hantavirus strain typically found in Argentina and Chile, has been confirmed by the WHO among passengers and crew members on the MV Hondius. The last identified contact of an exposed person has completed quarantine and tested negative for the virus. To better understand the disease's development and aid in future prevention efforts, the WHO is coordinating a study involving 21 countries focused on diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.
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(UPDATED July 3, 2026 01:29 UTC)
At least 11 confirmed cases of the Andes virus, a rare strain of hantavirus that can transmit between people, have been reported according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The cruise ship MV Hondius set off from Argentina on April 1, and this outbreak is raising concerns among health officials. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to prevent further spread of the virus.
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(UPDATED July 2, 2026 23:28 UTC)
The World Health Organization has officially declared the end of the hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius, which was docked in Granadilla de Abona, Spain. A total of 13 cases were reported, including 12 confirmed cases and one probable case, with three associated deaths, at least two of which are confirmed, but no new cases have emerged since May 25. Quarantine measures for 18 Americans who were passengers on the ship have now ended, and the WHO is coordinating a study with 21 countries to enhance understanding and response to future outbreaks.