A cruise ship impacted by a hantavirus outbreak has docked at the Rotterdam port for disinfection. The MV Hondius arrived Monday morning with 25 crew members and two medical personnel, after its passengers disembarked elsewhere.
According to Oceanwide Expeditions, the ship’s operator, there are no reported symptoms among those aboard. Crew members were observed wearing masks as the ship was escorted by a tug and police boat through the port.
The ship docked near 25 white containers, set up for quarantining those unable to repatriate. The port’s harbor master, René de Vries, emphasized Rotterdam’s willingness to assist despite the circumstances, noting that it often shelters ships affected by misfortunes in the North Sea.
“The ship is in need, the ship is at sea, crew members are sick, probably affected. So in that case, I think it’s unacceptable to say no, you’re not welcome in the biggest port of Europe,” he stated.
This marks the first instance where Rotterdam welcomed a vessel from as far as Antarctica. Coordination with the Erasmus Medical Center and local authorities will ensure thorough disinfection of the ship.
Outbreak Details
During the outbreak, three passengers lost their lives, including a Dutch couple initially exposed in South America. Previously, the MV Hondius spent six days traveling from the Canary Islands. Passengers were then escorted off in protective gear to quarantine in over 20 countries.
The outbreak involves at least 11 cases, with nine confirmed. The Public Health Agency of Canada reported a positive case among Canadians who left the ship.
Health Measures and Response
Crew members unable to return home will quarantine in Rotterdam. Two dozen are already in quarantine after arriving in the Netherlands. Eighteen Americans are under observation in specialized U.S. healthcare facilities.
The World Health Organization clarified this is not a repeat of COVID, stressing the rarity of hantavirus. The virus’s incubation period suggests that more cases may emerge, though precautions are underway to disinfect the vessel.
Future Operations
Once disinfected, public health officials will inspect the ship before resuming its voyages. Oceanwide Expeditions plans to proceed with an Arctic cruise departing from Keflavik, Iceland, on May 29.
Meanwhile, France’s Pasteur Institute fully sequenced the Andes virus found in a French passenger. Analysis shows it matches known South American viruses without new transmissible features.
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