The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship Hondius officially over, stating that no new cases have been reported since May 25. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed that the last individual under observation completed quarantine, tested negative, and has returned home, enabling the agency to formally conclude the outbreak.

The outbreak involved the rare Andes strain of hantavirus and was associated with a voyage aboard the Hondius, a luxury expedition ship operated by Dutch company Oceanwide Expeditions. The vessel departed from Argentina in April with approximately 150 passengers from 23 countries onboard.

During the course of the outbreak, more than 650 contacts across roughly 30 countries were identified and monitored to contain potential transmission. A total of 13 confirmed infections were reported, including three fatalities. The Hondius docked at the Spanish island of Tenerife on May 10, providing passengers the opportunity to disembark and return to their respective home countries.

The WHO’s assessment follows a coordinated international response to monitor and manage the situation, marking an important step in closing the incident associated with this rare viral infection.