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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said the deadly hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, which caused global concern, is expected to be officially declared over on July 2.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the announcement on Wednesday during a press conference at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, saying, “If no further cases are reported by then, WHO will consider the outbreak to be over.”
He added that more than 650 contacts were identified and followed up by health authorities in 33 countries and territories.
“All but 54 contacts have completed their period of quarantine, and the remaining contacts are scheduled to complete their quarantine period by July 2,” he said.
However, while the virus is close to ending, for scientists and experts, the work is only in its early stages for the remaining people in quarantine.
Virus samples will be analysed to determine whether tests, treatments, and vaccines could be developed for future outbreaks.
There were 12 confirmed and one probable case stemming from the MV Hondius, including three deaths, in an outbreak which prompted an international health alert.
