The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday declared the hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius officially over.
The final contact of a person exposed to hantavirus on the cruise ship MV Hondius completed their quarantine period, tested negative and returned home, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a media briefing on Thursday, adding no further cases have been reported since May 25.
The WHO was notified of the outbreak on May 2 by Britain's International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point. It involved a cluster of severe acute respiratory illness aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise ship.
A total of 13 cases were recorded, including three deaths. More than 650 contacts were identified and followed up by health authorities.
The outbreak response was supported by multiple countries in line with the International Health Regulations, including Argentina, Cabo Verde, Chile, the Netherlands, South Africa, Britain, and notably Spain, which demonstrated "incredible solidarity in supporting the safe disembarkation and repatriation of passengers and crew in Tenerife," the director-general said.
Although the outbreak is now over, WHO will continue working with governments and partners to advance understanding of this outbreak and of hantavirus more generally.
WHO is coordinating a study involving 21 countries to understand how the disease develops, which will support the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines for future outbreaks.
WHO chief says cruise ship-linked hantavirus outbreak over
Japanese journalist Toshihiro Yoshida, a long-time observer and critic of Japan's military expansion, has warned that the military buildup pursued by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration risks plunging Japan into war again.
Yoshida made the point as the Takaichi administration continues pushing forward with revising the country's three key security documents -- the National Security Strategy, the National Defense Strategy and the Defense Buildup Program while accelerating the deployment of long-range missiles and conducting joint military exercises with the United States.
"In line with the three security documents, the Japanese government has begun deploying long-range missiles capable of reaching China, while continuously expanding ammunition depots and promoting the use of civilian airports and ports by U.S. and Japan's Self-Defense Forces," said Yoshida.
He criticized the Takaichi administration for showing insufficient reflection on historical issues while continuously focusing on military expansion, which raises the risk that Japan could once again become a wartime aggressor.
"In Japanese political circles, especially among conservatives, including some politicians from the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party, there is a lack of historical reflection. This raises concerns that Japan may be preparing for another war. The current military buildup and war preparedness, which are heightening regional tensions, should be halted," he said.
Yoshida also stressed the need for Japan to strengthen historical education and face up to its history of aggression.
"In Japanese society, awareness of Japan's historical responsibility as the aggressor remains insufficient, particularly the harm inflicted on China, Southeast Asia, and Pacific island nations during the war of aggression against China and the Pacific War. Relevant historical education should be strengthened so that the Japanese people can earnestly learn about that period of history," he said.
Japanese journalist warns Takaichi's military buildup risks plunging Japan into war again
