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Hantavirus Outbreak Linked to MV Hondius Nears End, WHO Says

Health agencies are shifting from emergency quarantines to scientific follow-up aimed at confirming a likely Argentina origin through virus-sample sharing plus rodent testing.

Overview

  • The World Health Organization said Monday the international response is winding down after identifying about 13 cases with three deaths and that many countries have completed their quarantine and 42-day follow-up periods.
  • Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada confirmed all exposed Canadians have finished isolation and that the one Canadian who tested positive has fully recovered.
  • The MV Hondius began its voyage from Argentina on April 1 and docked in Tenerife on May 10, after which passengers and most crew disembarked and entered quarantine in their home countries.
  • WHO investigators believe the chain of infection likely started with a Dutch couple who may have been exposed ashore in Argentina, and officials are continuing contact tracing while sharing virus samples for laboratory study.
  • Health officials stress the Andes hantavirus has no cure and can spread between people after prolonged close contact, so authorities are watching remaining 42-day observation windows and completing rodent testing to rule out local animal sources.