The World Health Organization declared the hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship officially over on July 2, 2026.
The announcement followed the successful completion of quarantine and negative test results for the final exposed contact.
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A total of 13 cases, consisting of 12 confirmed and one probable infection, were recorded during the outbreak, leading to three deaths.
Health authorities across 33 countries and territories monitored more than 650 contacts during the response effort.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed that no new cases have emerged since May 25.
"WHO considers the hantavirus outbreak over," said Dr. Tedros.
Global health officials are now looking toward future prevention strategies based on data gathered from the incident.
"Although the outbreak is over, WHO will continue working with governments and partners to advance our understanding of this outbreak and of hantavirus more generally," said Dr. Tedros.
The agency is spearheading international scientific research to combat the viral strain effectively.
"We are also coordinating a study involving 21 countries to understand how the disease develops, which will support the development of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines for future outbreaks," said Dr. Tedros.
Earlier in the response, officials assessed the general threat posed by the situation to the public as "low."
The tracking of passengers indicated that the infection remained contained within the ship community.
"There is no sign that we are seeing the start of a larger outbreak," said Dr. Tedros.
