Cruise ship rat virus update as WHO makes major public health claim after 3 dead
NewsLatest NewsHantavirusThe outbreak, which infected 13 people and killed three, involved a rare hantavirus strain known as the Andes virus and saw passengers medically disembarked and put in. . .
NewsLatest NewsHantavirusThe outbreak, which infected 13 people and killed three, involved a rare hantavirus strain known as the Andes virus and saw passengers medically disembarked and put in quarantine08:24, 03 Jul 2026Updated 08:24, 03 Jul 2026The outbreak of a deadly rat virus linked to a cruise ship no longer poses a public health risk, health chiefs have said. The World Health Organisation say they don't expect any further transmission of the Hantavirus. Three people onboard a luxury cruise liner sailing from Argentina to Cape Verdedied after an outbreakof the disease in April. But no further cases have been reported since May 25 and the WHO says itsconsiders the outbreakover. Director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the final contact of a personexposed to hantavirus on the MV Hondiushad completed their quarantine period, tested negative and returned home. The outbreak, which infected 13 people and killed three, involved the Andes virus, a rare hantavirus strain. The cruise ship MV Hondius had set off from Argentina on 1 April. The first two cases were believed to have "travelled through Argentina, Chile and Uruguay on a bird-watching trip which included visits to sites where the species of rat known to carry the virus was present". Health experts believe that in this case, it may have passed between humans who were in close contact. The World Health Organisation said more than 650 contacts had been identified and followed up by authorities in 33 countries and territories. It said it would continue to work with governments and partners to advance its understanding of the outbreak and of hantavirus generally. And it advised countries to learn from the outbreak response. World Health Organisation medical officer Dr Diana Rojas Alverez, speaking at a briefing, said: "What we need to continue doing is to keep monitoring this virus, keep preparing for further spread. "Hantavirus typically spreads from rodents, with people infected by breathing in air contaminated with virus particles. Symptoms can include fever, extreme fatigue, muscle aches, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and shortness of breath. Passengers, who were not medically evacuated, disembarked in Tenerife in May before they were flown home. Irish woman Ann Lane was finally freed last week after six weeks of isolation, just in time to celebrate her 80th birthday. Article continues belowChoose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value. HantavirusWorld Health Organisation