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Cruise Ship Linked to Hantavirus Outbreak Placed Under Quarantine in Netherlands
(MENAFN) A cruise vessel connected to an outbreak of the deadly Andean hantavirus has returned to the Netherlands, where authorities have launched quarantine measures and a large-scale disinfection operation.
According to reports, the ship Hondius arrived at the Port of Rotterdam, which serves as the country’s designated quarantine location for infectious disease incidents involving ships. International media crews were present as the vessel docked.
As stated by local reports, 23 foreign crew members are currently staying in temporary accommodation inside a restricted and fenced-off section of the port. Officials said they could remain under quarantine until June 18 if arrangements cannot be made for them to travel back to their countries. The quarantined crew members are citizens of the Philippines, Ukraine, Russia, and Poland.
Two Dutch crew members are reportedly completing their isolation periods at home. During the ship’s final trip back to the Netherlands, a Dutch doctor and nurse remained onboard to monitor the situation.
Health authorities plan to carry out another round of testing on passengers after arrival, although officials said none of the people still onboard are currently showing symptoms of infection.
Reports also said the body of a German passenger who died last week remains aboard the vessel.
A specialized sanitation company has begun preparations to thoroughly disinfect the cruise ship, with the cleaning operation expected to last around one week. Workers will remove bedding materials, manually clean surfaces throughout the ship, and spray disinfectant across all areas.
The outbreak reportedly began in late April while the Hondius was carrying roughly 150 passengers and crew members from nearly 30 countries.
According to reports, three passengers — a Dutch couple and a German woman — died after contracting the virus.
The World Health Organization said that by May 13, a total of 11 cases had been identified, including eight confirmed infections.
Health experts say the Andean hantavirus is primarily transmitted through exposure to rodent waste. Unlike COVID-19, the virus does not spread easily between humans and generally requires prolonged close contact for transmission.
According to reports, the ship Hondius arrived at the Port of Rotterdam, which serves as the country’s designated quarantine location for infectious disease incidents involving ships. International media crews were present as the vessel docked.
As stated by local reports, 23 foreign crew members are currently staying in temporary accommodation inside a restricted and fenced-off section of the port. Officials said they could remain under quarantine until June 18 if arrangements cannot be made for them to travel back to their countries. The quarantined crew members are citizens of the Philippines, Ukraine, Russia, and Poland.
Two Dutch crew members are reportedly completing their isolation periods at home. During the ship’s final trip back to the Netherlands, a Dutch doctor and nurse remained onboard to monitor the situation.
Health authorities plan to carry out another round of testing on passengers after arrival, although officials said none of the people still onboard are currently showing symptoms of infection.
Reports also said the body of a German passenger who died last week remains aboard the vessel.
A specialized sanitation company has begun preparations to thoroughly disinfect the cruise ship, with the cleaning operation expected to last around one week. Workers will remove bedding materials, manually clean surfaces throughout the ship, and spray disinfectant across all areas.
The outbreak reportedly began in late April while the Hondius was carrying roughly 150 passengers and crew members from nearly 30 countries.
According to reports, three passengers — a Dutch couple and a German woman — died after contracting the virus.
The World Health Organization said that by May 13, a total of 11 cases had been identified, including eight confirmed infections.
Health experts say the Andean hantavirus is primarily transmitted through exposure to rodent waste. Unlike COVID-19, the virus does not spread easily between humans and generally requires prolonged close contact for transmission.
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