The cruise ship MV Hondius has docked at the Dutch port of Rotterdam for disinfection after a hantavirus outbreak. The ship, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, arrived without passengers, with 25 crew members and two medical staff onboard, none showing symptoms. Crew wearing masks were visible on the deck as the ship arrived, assisted by a tug boat and a Dutch police boat.
The port prepared 25 white containers near the dock for crew quarantine. Those who cannot return home will stay in containers with satellite internet and catering facilities, according to port harbor master René de Vries. He stressed the importance of accomodating the ship, despite the outbreak, emphasizing the role of Rotterdam as a major European port aiding ships in distress.
Collaborating with Erasmus Medical Center, the port’s health authorities will undertake the ship’s disinfection. The MV Hondius, which embarked from Antarctica, sailed from the Canary Islands where patients were removed under protective measures, deploying them across over 20 countries for quarantine.
Tragically, three passengers succumbed to the virus, including a Dutch couple believed to be first infected in South America. The outbreak affected 11 individuals, with nine confirmed cases. Canada reported one positive case amongst its citizens. The Dutch health ministry confirmed some passengers and crew are now in quarantine in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, 18 Americans face quarantine at specialized U.S. health facilities.
The World Health Organization assured the public this hantavirus outbreak is not akin to COVID, emphasizing its rarity. There may yet be undiscovered cases due to the virus’s long incubation period.
After disembarkation, the ship will undergo decontamination according to Dutch health guidelines. Measures are enforced to protect cleaning personnel from quarantine post-cleansing. Once inspected, the ship will resume operations, with a planned Arctic cruise from Iceland on May 29.
France’s Pasteur Institute sequenced the Andes virus from a French passenger, noting its similarity with existing South American strains. No new traits show increased transmissibility or danger.