Hantavirus outbreak on MV Hondius prompts Rotterdam quarantine and disinfection
The World Health Organization maintains the risk of onward transmission is low, though genetic sequencing confirms the virus matches known South American strains.
The MV Hondius, an expedition cruise ship operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, has arrived in Rotterdam, Netherlands, to undergo disinfection following a hantavirus outbreak. This marks the first known instance of such an outbreak on a cruise vessel. The ship docked carrying 25 crew members and two medical personnel, having evacuated all passengers at various international locations over the preceding six days.
Three passengers have died from the virus, including a Dutch couple believed to be the first exposed while visiting South America. At least 11 cases of infection were identified on board, with nine confirmed. The Public Health Agency of Canada confirmed that one of four Canadians in isolation after leaving the ship tested positive on Sunday, and the agency plans to share this information with the World Health Organization.
Crew members unable to be repatriated immediately are undergoing quarantine in white containers set up near the port. The Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport stated that personal protective measures are being taken to ensure cleaners do not need to quarantine after decontamination. Some two dozen passengers and crew members have already been in quarantine in the Netherlands after arriving on different flights in the last two weeks.
France’s Pasteur Institute reported that the Andes virus detected in a French passenger has been fully sequenced. The analysis indicates the virus matches strains already known in South America, with no evidence of new characteristics making it more transmissible or dangerous. Oceanwide Expeditions stated that no one currently on board is experiencing symptoms.
The World Health Organization maintains its assessment of the outbreak as low risk, noting that the risk of onward transmission is expected to reduce following disembarkation and control measures. Public health officials will inspect the ship before it is permitted to sail again, though the specific timeline for clearance remains pending.
