WHO Declares MV Hondius Hantavirus Outbreak Over

According to Lianhe Zaobao citing AFP and Xinhua, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on July 2 that the hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius has ended after the last close contact completed quarantine, tested negative, and returned home. Tedros said no new cases have been reported since May 25. The MV Hondius recorded 12 confirmed cases and one suspected case, with three deaths. WHO had assessed on May 12 that the overall risk to global public health was low, but recommended 42 days of health monitoring for people evacuated from the ship from their last possible exposure date.