Image Credentials: Image Title: WHO Declares Cruise Ship Hantavirus Outbreak Officially Over. Source: (chatgpt.com) Date: June 2026. Attribution: This image was created using AI-generated imagery (chatgpt.com) by Open Chronicle and does not depict a real-world scene.
By Open Chronicle with Agencies
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared the hantavirus outbreak linked to the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius over, following the successful completion of quarantine and testing procedures for the final identified contact.
WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the development during a press briefing on Thursday, confirming that no additional infections have been detected since late May.
The outbreak officially concluded
According to the WHO, the final individual identified as a close contact of an infected passenger completed quarantine and tested negative for the virus, allowing health officials to formally close the international outbreak investigation.
“No further cases have been reported since the 25th of May. We’re therefore very pleased to say that WHO considers the outbreak of hantavirus over,” Tedros said.
The outbreak resulted in 13 confirmed cases, including three deaths, while health authorities tracked and monitored more than 650 contacts across 33 countries and territories.
Research continues despite the outbreak ending
Although the immediate public health emergency has ended, WHO said research into hantavirus will continue.
Tedros announced that the organization is coordinating a multinational study involving 21 countries to improve scientific understanding of the disease and accelerate the development of improved diagnostic tests, treatments, and vaccines.
The research aims to strengthen preparedness for any future outbreaks of the virus.
Attention shifts to the Ebola crisis in DR Congo
While celebrating the successful containment of the hantavirus outbreak, WHO warned that another major health emergency continues to worsen in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Tedros reported that the country’s Ebola outbreak is expanding rapidly, with an average of 38 new confirmed cases every day over the past two weeks.
As of Thursday, the outbreak had reached:
- 1,406 confirmed cases
- 438 deaths
WHO said it has significantly expanded its response on the ground.
Testing capacity has increased to 10 laboratories, while contact tracing efforts have improved, with approximately 80 percent of identified contacts now under active monitoring.
Treatment capacity has also grown to around 650 hospital beds distributed across 22 health centres.
New diagnostic test approved
The WHO chief also announced that the organization has granted Emergency Use Listing to the first molecular diagnostic test for the Bundibugyo virus, a species of Ebola virus responsible for previous outbreaks in Africa.
In addition, clinical trials involving two experimental Ebola therapeutics have begun, with the first patient already enrolled.
Despite these advances, Tedros warned that major obstacles remain.
He cited ongoing mistrust among communities and security challenges, including violence in affected areas, as significant barriers to containing the Ebola outbreak.
WHO said it will continue working with governments, researchers, and international partners to strengthen global preparedness for both emerging and ongoing infectious disease threats.