MV Hondius hantavirus cruise ship cleared to sail again after deadly outbreak | World | News
Oceanwide Expeditions has announced that the cruise ship at the center of the deadly hantavirus outbreak has been cleared to return to service.
The MV Hondius triggered a worldwide health emergency earlier this month when passengers contracted the disease. A total of 13 cases associated with the outbreak resulted in three deaths.
Hantavirus is a rare rodent-borne virus for which there is no vaccine or specific treatment, and the virus can remain dormant in the body for up to eight weeks.
However, following extensive cleaning and disinfection procedures, the ship is now ready to resume operations and the Dutch public health agency has stated that ‘there are no longer any obstacles to returning Hondius to sea’.
The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) instructed the 22 British passengers on board to remain at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral on Merseyside for testing; passengers began quarantine on May 10.
On May 13, six people were allowed to leave the hospital to complete their home isolation, but the remaining 16 passengers remain at the facility. Mirror.
Just over nine weeks after the first passenger fell ill on board on April 6, the ship is expected to sail once again.
Oceanwide Expeditions’ latest statement reads: “The scheduled departure of M/v Hondius from the port of Rotterdam to Vlissingen has been postponed following the recommendation of GGD Rotterdam for additional cleaning procedures.
“The remaining crew members from the first voyage were escorted to quarantine facilities on Saturday evening. Captain Jan Dobrogowski was transported to Poland by special transport. Where appropriate, the Dutch crew returned home for home quarantine in accordance with established protocols.
“GGD Rotterdam, in collaboration with Oceanwide Expeditions, wishes to ensure that the ship is ready to return to service safely. Based on the inspection findings, GGD has recommended additional cleaning. Upon completion of this work, GGD will carry out a final inspection before the ship leaves Rotterdam.
“We will share the expected timeline for these procedures as soon as this becomes clear. At this stage, all sailings will proceed as planned from June 13. No further disruption to m/v Hondius’ sailing schedule is expected.”
