The World Health Organization (WHO) declared an end to the hantavirus outbreak on an Atlantic cruise ship on July 2, local time.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced at a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, that "the final contact of a person exposed to hantavirus on the MV Hondius cruise ship has completed their quarantine and returned home after testing negative."

"There have been no additional cases reported since May 25," Director-General Tedros said. "Therefore, the WHO is pleased to announce that the hantavirus outbreak is considered over."

The Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius, carrying approximately 150 people, experienced a cluster of hantavirus infections while sailing in the Atlantic after departing from Argentina on April 1.

There were a total of 13 confirmed and suspected cases, three of which resulted in death.

While hantavirus is typically transmitted by rodents, the Andes variant can, in rare cases, be transmitted between humans.

Director-General Tedros stated that 21 countries will participate in ongoing research to develop diagnostic methods, treatments, and vaccines for the hantavirus.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)