Most passengers and crew members of the cruise ship MV Hondius, affected by a hantavirus outbreak, have been cleared to return home after a period of quarantine in the Netherlands, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The outbreak, which resulted in 12 confirmed cases and one probable case, led to three fatalities and triggered an international health alert.
The Dutch-flagged vessel embarked on its journey from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, visiting remote South Atlantic islands before heading to Cape Verde and Tenerife, where remaining passengers were evacuated. The ship docked in Rotterdam on May 18, and the crew faced weeks of quarantine. Ghebreyesus noted that no new cases have been reported since May 2, indicating a stable situation.
Following comprehensive cleaning and disinfection, the ship was permitted to set sail again on May 30. Meanwhile, St Helena, where many passengers disembarked, announced the end of the hantavirus major incident on June 8. The local government confirmed that all individuals required to self-isolate had completed their 42-day isolation, emphasizing the importance of community resilience during this crisis. Hantavirus, primarily spread by rodents, remains a rare virus with no specific treatments or vaccines available.
