The MV Hondius cruise ship, affected by a hantavirus outbreak that has already caused three deaths, is due to arrive Monday morning in Rotterdam, where Dutch authorities are preparing a major health operation and quarantine measures.
The ship will be disinfected upon arrival in port, while authorities have arranged quarantine facilities for the 25 crew members and two medical personnel still on board. Officials have not yet specified whether these individuals will remain isolated for the entire recommended 42-day quarantine period.
The outbreak of severe respiratory illnesses was first reported to the World Health Organization on May 2. The luxury ship, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, was carrying approximately 150 passengers and crew members from 23 countries.
Since the start of the outbreak, three people have died: a Dutch couple and a German national. Health authorities are now closely monitoring other passengers and crew members who may have been exposed to the virus.
The ship had been stranded for several days off the coast of Cape Verde, as local authorities refused to allow passengers to disembark due to health risks. The WHO and the European Union then asked Spain to organize an evacuation to the Canary Islands.
After this operation, the MV Hondius set sail again for Rotterdam with a reduced crew and two additional caregivers on board to monitor the health of the remaining people.
The WHO nevertheless insisted that this outbreak "had nothing to do with COVID-19", seeking to avoid any panic as several European countries are already strengthening their health surveillance systems around the ship.
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