MV Hondius Docks in Rotterdam for Disinfection After Hantavirus Outbreak

The MV Hondius cruise ship, affected by a hantavirus outbreak, arrived at the Dutch port of Rotterdam on Monday for disinfection. The vessel was carrying 25 crew members and two medical personnel, all of whom are currently asymptomatic.

The outbreak has led to at least 11 confirmed cases and three fatalities, including a Dutch couple believed to have been exposed during a visit to South America.

Upon arrival, the crew members will enter quarantine. Those unable to return to their home countries will be accommodated in temporary cabins set up near the port.

The ship will undergo a thorough disinfection process, expected to take about three days, following Dutch public health guidelines.

Health officials emphasize that the risk to the public is very low, with strict protocols in place to prevent the virus from spreading beyond the ship.

This incident marks the first known hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship.

The Dutch company that owns the MV Hondius does not foresee any changes to its operations and has an Arctic cruise scheduled to depart from Keflavik, Iceland, on May 29.