The MV Hondius, a Dutch cruise ship that experienced a deadly hantavirus outbreak during its voyage, has docked at its final destination in Rotterdam. Only crew members and medical staff were aboard for the last leg of the journey, as all passengers disembarked earlier in the Canary Islands.
Key Takeaways
The MV Hondius cruise ship, which experienced a hantavirus outbreak during its voyage, has docked at its final destination in Rotterdam. The ship will be disinfected and the remaining crew members will undergo quarantine. Three people have died from the virus, with eleven confirmed cases among passengers.
- Hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius arrives in Rotterdam for disinfection
- 25 crew members and two medical staff to undergo quarantine
- Three deaths reported, eleven confirmed hantavirus cases
- Ship will be disinfected before being allowed to leave the port
The port authorities have prepared quarantine facilities for the 25 crew members and two medical staff remaining on board. The ship will undergo disinfection before being allowed to leave the port. Three people - a Dutch couple and a German woman - have died from the virus, with eleven confirmed cases among passengers.
According to BBC, Rotterdam's harbour master René de Vries stated that 25 mobile homes equipped with catering and satellite communications would be available for the crew to self-isolate in. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended a 42-day isolation period for those leaving the ship.
The MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, began its journey on April 1st in Ushuaia, Argentina. About 150 passengers and crew from various countries were initially aboard the vessel. The ship's intended final destination was Cape Verde, but authorities there prevented passengers from disembarking due to the outbreak.
The WHO and the European Union requested that Spain allow the ship to sail to the Canary Islands for passenger repatriation. On May 10th, the ship arrived in Tenerife, where remaining passengers disembarked. The ship then set off for Rotterdam with crew members and medical staff on May 11th.
According to TimesLIVE, some Dutch citizens have expressed concern about the arrival of the MV Hondius, fearing that people might not follow quarantine rules. However, others have stated they are not worried about a new pandemic after doing research on hantavirus.
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