Vietnam says no Andes hantavirus cases as WHO declares cruise ship outbreak over

The ministry's Administration of Disease Prevention cited a WHO update issued on Thursday, which said no further transmission related to the outbreak is expected.

According to the WHO, 13 cases have been identified since the outbreak was first reported on May 2, including 12 laboratory-confirmed infections with the Andes hantavirus strain and one probable case. Three people died.

Of the 10 patients who were hospitalized, eight have recovered and been discharged, while two remain under treatment.

All cases involved people who had been aboard the MV Hondius. 

Everyone identified as a close contact completed the WHO-recommended 42-day monitoring period without any additional secondary infections, indicating the chain of transmission had been interrupted.

The WHO said the Andes hantavirus remains endemic in parts of South America. 

Human-to-human transmission is limited and generally requires prolonged close contact, with no evidence of widespread community transmission. 

The enclosed environment aboard the cruise ship was considered a contributing factor to the limited outbreak.

The Vietnamese health ministry said it had closely monitored developments since the WHO first reported the cluster of cases.

It said Vietnam has not recorded any infections caused by the Andes strain of hantavirus or any Vietnamese nationals linked to the MV Hondius outbreak.

The ministry added that previous scientific data in Vietnam had identified evidence only of other hantavirus strains, including Seoul hantavirus and hantaviruses detected in animals.

Hantaviruses are primarily transmitted to humans through inhalation of aerosolized particles contaminated with the urine, droppings or saliva of infected rodents.

Although the outbreak has ended, the ministry urged the public to maintain preventive measures against rodent-borne diseases, including controlling rodent populations, avoiding contact with rodents and their waste, and keeping living environments clean.

People who develop symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, fatigue, digestive problems, cough, chest tightness or difficulty breathing after possible exposure should seek medical advice promptly.

The ministry said it would continue to work with the WHO and other agencies to monitor global hantavirus developments, assess risks, and update disease prevention measures as needed.