Geneva, June 23 (IANS) World Health Organisation (WHO) Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on Tuesday, said that the captain of the Hantavirus-hit ship and most of the crew members have completed their quarantine.

“MV Hondius captain and most of crew members completed their quarantine. More than 600 contacts of those who got sick have been tracked across 33 countries and territories. More than 80% of the contacts have finished their 42-day follow-up period.- Cases are holding steady at 13, including three deaths. We’re closing in on ending this outbreak.” Ghebreyesus wrote on X.

He thanked Captain Jan Dobrogowski and the crew members of MV Hondius for their leadership in keeping passengers safe.

He also expressed his appreciation to Spain, the Netherlands, Cabo Verde, South Africa and the UK for their critical role in the response.

According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all US citizens potentially exposed to hantavirus aboard the M/V Hondius cruise ship finished their 42-day monitoring period.

Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious disease typically transmitted through contact with infected rodents. Human-to-human transmission is uncommon, depending on the strain.

The outbreak of the deadly hantavirus was reported on the Dutch-flagged cruise MV Hondium in the Atlantic Ocean on May 2.

WHO has said that the overall risk to the public remains low, and has recommended that all evacuated passengers undergo active health monitoring for 42 days from their last exposure date, either in designated quarantine facilities or at home.

MV Hondius arrived at the Dutch port of Rotterdam on May 18 for disinfection, concluding a voyage.

On May 28, Australian officials extended quarantine of six cruise ship passengers as a precautionary measure to minimise any potential public health risk.

The decision followed confirmation of two additional hantavirus infections overseas involving a crew member and a passenger from the MV Hondius cruise ship.

–IANS

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