WHO declares Hantavirus outbreak over

…warns Ebola crisis worsens in DR Congo

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius officially over, even as it warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is escalating, with nearly 40 new infections being recorded daily.

Speaking at a media briefing, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the outbreak ended after the final identified contact completed quarantine, tested negative, and returned home.

“We are therefore very pleased to say that the WHO considers the outbreak of hantavirus over,” he announced.

The outbreak recorded 13 confirmed cases, including three deaths, while health authorities tracked more than 650 contacts across 33 countries and territories.

Although the outbreak has ended, Dr Tedros said the WHO will continue research into hantavirus and is coordinating a study involving 21 countries to improve diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines for future outbreaks.

He commended Argentina, Cabo Verde, Chile, the Netherlands, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Spain for supporting the international response, particularly Spain for facilitating the safe disembarkation and repatriation of passengers and crew in Tenerife.

However, the WHO chief warned that the Ebola situation in the DRC remains a major concern.

He disclosed that the country has recorded an average of 38 new confirmed Ebola cases every day over the past two weeks, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 1,406, with 438 deaths.

According to him, laboratory testing capacity has expanded to 10 facilities, treatment centres now provide about 650 beds, and contact tracing has improved, although significant gaps remain.

Dr Tedros also announced the launch of the PARTNERS clinical trial, which will evaluate the effectiveness of the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir in treating Ebola patients.

In a separate development, the WHO granted emergency use listing for the first molecular diagnostic test for the Bundibugyo virus, a move expected to strengthen outbreak detection.

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Despite the progress, he lamented that violence continues to hamper the response after an Ebola treatment centre in Ituri Province was attacked this week, killing two people, destroying the facility, and forcing patients to flee.

In Uganda, the WHO chief said no new Ebola cases have been reported since June 21 but confirmed that authorities detected a case of Marburg virus disease in Kyegegwa District through enhanced disease surveillance.

He said all identified contacts are being monitored while investigations are underway to determine the source of the infection.

Highlighting the importance of global collaboration, Dr Tedros said the concurrent outbreaks demonstrate that “there is no alternative to international cooperation in the face of international threats.”

Beyond disease outbreaks, he revealed that WHO has deployed emergency medical teams and released US$1.5 million in emergency funding following the devastating earthquake in Venezuela, which has killed more than 2,300 people, injured over 5,000, and displaced nearly 16,000.

The director-general also raised concern over worsening air pollution, noting that 6.5 billion people worldwide continue to breathe air that exceeds WHO safety guidelines, contributing to an estimated 6.7 million premature deaths annually.

He further called for stronger safeguards to protect children online, warning that addictive digital platforms, harmful content, and algorithm-driven misinformation pose growing risks to young people’s health and well-being.