The MV Hondius cruise ship, which was quarantined after a hantavirus outbreak on board that resulted in the deaths of three passengers, has been given permission to return to sea. Dutch health authorities announced on Saturday that the ship no longer posed a risk to public health following extensive cleaning and disinfection.
Rotterdam's municipal health agency reported that final inspections by infection prevention specialists confirmed the effectiveness of the implemented sanitation measures. The experts concluded that the ship's cleaning had been carried out in accordance with established protocols and that there were now no obstacles to its return to service.
Three deaths linked to the epidemic
The MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, was cruising between Ushuaia, Argentina, and the Cape Verde archipelago when several cases of hantavirus were detected on board. Passengers were evacuated to Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, before being repatriated to their respective countries. The ship then arrived in Rotterdam on May 18, while the remaining crew was placed in quarantine.
According to the World Health Organization, this outbreak has resulted in thirteen confirmed or probable cases of infection to date, including three deaths. Oceanwide Expeditions announced that the MV Hondius would resume its cruise schedule on June 13, marking the end of a health incident that had caused significant international concern.
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