The final passengers have disembarked from the MV Hondius, a cruise ship recently affected by a hantavirus outbreak. Health authorities have confirmed three additional cases linked to this deadly virus. The ship set sail from Tenerife to the Netherlands on Monday after the last six passengers, including four Australians, one Briton, and one New Zealander, left the vessel along with several crew members.
The outbreak has tragically resulted in three passenger deaths, with two confirmed as hantavirus cases. According to the World Health Organization, there are now nine confirmed cases connected to the ship, with two more suspected infections under investigation. The latest confirmed cases include an American and a French national who tested positive after returning home. Spanish authorities also reported a quarantined passenger in Madrid provisionally tested positive on Monday.
Despite concerns, health officials maintain that the risk of a widespread outbreak remains low. The rare Andes strain of hantavirus, believed to have been contracted during the cruise’s South American itinerary, is typically spread by rodents. However, it is one of the few strains capable of limited human-to-human transmission. Symptoms can include fever, severe fatigue, muscle pain, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhoea, and breathing difficulties.
International Repatriation Effort Continues
Repatriation efforts are ongoing for passengers and crew from over 20 countries. US health officials confirmed that a second American passenger repatriated from Tenerife developed mild symptoms. Both infected passengers travelled in specialised biocontainment units as a precaution. In France, Health Minister Stéphanie Rist reported that a French passenger isolating in Paris had seen her condition worsen, with 22 close contacts already traced.
Two British nationals with confirmed hantavirus infections are receiving treatment in the Netherlands and South Africa. Meanwhile, 20 Filipino crew members have arrived in the Netherlands, where they will undergo testing and quarantine. A total of 38 Filipino crew members will eventually need repatriation to the Philippines.
As of Monday evening, Oceanwide Expeditions reported that 27 people remained aboard the vessel, including 25 crew members and two medical staff. The crew includes members from the Philippines, Ukraine, Russia, Poland, and the Netherlands. Ukrainian officials stated their nationals would help sail the ship back to the Netherlands before entering quarantine upon arrival. Over 90 passengers have already been repatriated from the ship.
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