A rare hantavirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius has claimed three lives, triggering strict international quarantines and vessel inspections before it can sail again.
A deadly outbreak of hantavirus aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius has sparked a multi-nation health response following the deaths of three passengers.
According to Sky News, the Dutch-flagged vessel was carrying roughly 150 passengers and crew from 23 countries when a cluster of severe respiratory illness was reported to the World Health Organization on 2 May. A Dutch couple and a German national have died from the Andes virus strain.
While most individuals disembarked in Tenerife on 10 May for repatriation, 25 crew members and two medical personnel remain under strict quarantine arrangements on board. Public health officials will inspect the vessel before it is allowed to sail again.
The ship’s owner does not foresee changes to its scheduled 29 May Arctic cruise from Iceland, despite this being the first known hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship.
NEWS NOW:
