WHO to declare end of MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak on July 2

The World Health Organization said it will declare the hantavirus outbreak on the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius finished on 2 July if no new cases are reported. The outbreak, caused by the Andes strain, resulted in 13 confirmed infections and three deaths among the 147‑person crew and passengers. More than 650 contacts in 33 countries have been identified, with 54 still in quarantine.

The WHO will continue investigations and will share virus samples with its BioHub in Switzerland to aid development of diagnostics, treatments and vaccines. The ship left Ushuaia, Argentina on 1 April, sailing north to the Canary Islands where remaining passengers were evacuated.

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concluded its response, noting no sustained transmission and the release of all 18 American passengers after a 42‑day monitoring period. Health and Human Services called the effort a successful public health response. Canada also announced that 34 citizens who were exposed have completed self‑isolation, with one case recovering.

A commentary in The Lancet warned that the episode highlights gaps in pandemic preparedness across Latin America, calling for a regional rapid‑response platform.