Hantavirus Hit Cruise Ship Docks in Netherlands for Full Disinfection

A cruise ship struck by a rare and deadly hantavirus outbreak has arrived at the Dutch port of Rotterdam for full decontamination , bringing an end to a disrupted voyage that triggered international health concern and widespread quarantine measures.

The vessel, MV Hondius, reached the port early Monday carrying 25 crew members and two medical staff , after all passengers had already been evacuated at earlier stops. As it entered Rotterdam, occupants were seen wearing masks on deck while the ship was escorted by a tug boat and a Dutch police vessel.

Authorities confirmed that the remaining crew will be placed under immediate quarantine , while the ship undergoes strict sanitisation procedures under national public health guidelines.

The outbreak on board has so far been linked to at least 11 infections , with nine confirmed cases . Tragically, three passengers have died , including a Dutch couple believed to have been first exposed during travel in South America.

The ship had been sailing from the Canary Islands after passengers were disembarked there in full protective conditions. Those travellers were flown to more than 20 countries and placed under quarantine upon arrival. Several crew members and passengers have since been isolated in multiple countries, including Canada and the United States.

Health officials in Canada confirmed that one of four isolated Canadian passengers tested positive after leaving the ship. In the United States, 18 passengers are under observation in specialised facilities equipped to handle high risk infectious diseases.

The Dutch health ministry stated that remaining crew members unable to return home will continue quarantine in the Netherlands. Officials also noted that trained teams carrying protective equipment will carry out the cleaning, ensuring they do not require quarantine afterward.

Public health agencies will inspect the vessel before it is cleared for future voyages. The outbreak marks the first known hantavirus incident on a cruise ship , prompting global monitoring and coordination with the World Health Organisation.

The virus strain identified has been sequenced by France’s Pasteur Institute, which found it matches known strains from South America, with no evidence so far of increased transmissibility or severity.

Despite the incident, the ship’s operator Oceanwide Expeditions has stated that it does not currently plan any operational changes, and the vessel is expected to resume Arctic cruises later this month, pending clearance.