The cruise ship previously affected by a serious hantavirus outbreak has been given approval to resume its voyages, Oceanwide Expeditions has announced. The MV Hondius triggered a global health emergency when several passengers contracted the rare disease, resulting in 13 confirmed cases and three fatalities. Hantavirus, transmitted by rodents, has no specific treatment or vaccine and can remain dormant in the body for up to eight weeks.
After undergoing a thorough cleaning and disinfection process, the ship is now deemed safe to sail again, as confirmed by the Dutch public health agency, which stated that there are no longer any impediments to the Hondius setting sail once more. Following the incident, the UK Health Security Agency directed the 22 British passengers onboard to undergo testing at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside, with all passengers entering quarantine on May 10.
While six individuals were allowed to leave the hospital for continued isolation at home on May 13, the remaining 16 passengers are still being monitored at the hospital. Nearly two months after the initial illness was reported on April 6, the ship is anticipated to recommence its operations.
In a recent update from Oceanwide Expeditions, it was disclosed that the scheduled departure of the MV Hondius from Rotterdam to Vlissingen has been postponed due to additional cleaning requirements advised by GGD Rotterdam. The crew members from the previous voyage have been placed in quarantine, with Captain Jan Dobrogowski being transferred to Poland. Dutch crew members have been instructed to undergo home quarantine in accordance with established protocols.
GGD Rotterdam, in collaboration with Oceanwide Expeditions, is overseeing the vessel’s readiness for service, with additional cleaning measures being implemented based on their inspection findings. Once the final cleaning is completed, GGD will conduct a thorough inspection before authorizing the ship to depart from Rotterdam.
The anticipated timeline for these procedures will be communicated once finalized, with all voyages scheduled from June 13 onwards expected to proceed as planned, without further disruptions to the Hondius’ sailing itinerary.
