THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A cruise ship central to a hantavirus outbreak is undergoing additional cleaning procedures prior to its return home. This decision follows guidance from the local health authority in Rotterdam, where the MV Hondius docked last week.
Oceanwide Expeditions stated in a release that further cleaning is warranted based on inspection results. They outlined that the health authority would conduct a final inspection after the additional cleaning is completed before the vessel can leave Rotterdam for Vlissingen, its home port.
The cleaning comes amidst reports of 12 hantavirus cases connected to the ship, including three fatalities, which have raised public health concerns. The World Health Organization’s Director-General noted the outbreak’s severity but confirmed no new deaths have occurred since May 2.
Passengers and crew aboard the Hondius remain in quarantine, receiving health monitoring to ensure any necessary care.
Typically, hantavirus spreads through inhalation of contaminated rodent waste, but the specific strain linked to this outbreak, the Andes virus, has shown rare potential for person-to-person transmission. Public health officials assert the general public’s risk from this outbreak remains low.
Despite the situation, the cruise company has not announced any changes to the Hondius’s future operations, maintaining its schedule for upcoming voyages starting June 13.
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