The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Andes hantavirus (ANDV) outbreak linked to the Dutch-flagged passenger vessel MV Hondius over after no new cases were reported for more than a month.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the last identified contact of an infected person had completed quarantine, tested negative for the virus and returned home.

"No additional cases have been reported since May 25. We are therefore pleased to say that WHO considers the outbreak to be over," Ghebreyesus said.

He said the outbreak ended with a total of 13 confirmed cases, including three deaths, while health authorities in 33 countries and territories identified and monitored more than 650 contacts during the response.

WHO investigations found that the outbreak was linked to the Andes hantavirus (ANDV), the only known hantavirus capable of limited person-to-person transmission. The organization said the index case was likely exposed to the virus before boarding the MV Hondius during travel in Argentina or Chile.

Ghebreyesus said the WHO is coordinating a research project involving 21 countries to better understand how the disease develops, with the findings expected to support the development of improved diagnostics, treatments and vaccines.

Despite declaring the outbreak over, the WHO said it will continue working with governments and international partners to improve understanding of the Andes hantavirus and strengthen preparedness for future outbreaks, while maintaining that the risk to the general public remains low.(ILKHA)