Oceanwide Expeditions has given the green light for the cruise ship involved in a fatal hantavirus outbreak to resume its operations.
MV Hondius triggered a global health emergency when several passengers contracted the rare virus, resulting in 13 confirmed cases and three fatalities. Hantavirus, transmitted by rodents, lacks vaccines or specific treatments and can remain dormant in the body for up to eight weeks.
After a thorough cleaning and disinfection process, the ship has been deemed ready for sailing again, with the Dutch public health agency stating that there are no longer any hindrances to its return to service.
The UK Health Security Agency instructed the 22 British passengers onboard to undergo tests at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside, with quarantine measures starting on May 10.
While six individuals were permitted to continue their isolation at home on May 13, the remaining 16 passengers are still confined at the hospital.
Approximately nine weeks after the initial illness was reported on April 6, the cruise ship is set to recommence its voyages.
The most recent update from Oceanwide Expeditions states: “The scheduled departure of m/v Hondius from Rotterdam to Vlissingen has been postponed due to additional cleaning requirements advised by GGD Rotterdam.
“The remaining crew members from the previous voyage were taken to quarantine facilities on Saturday evening. Captain Jan Dobrogowski was transported to Poland using specialized transport. Dutch crew members have been allowed to return to their residences for home quarantine following established protocols.
“GGD Rotterdam, in collaboration with Oceanwide Expeditions, aims to ensure the safe readiness of the vessel for service resumption. Based on their inspection outcomes, GGD recommended additional cleaning measures. Once this cleaning is completed, GGD will conduct a final inspection before the ship can leave Rotterdam.
“We will provide the anticipated timeline for these procedures once it is finalized. All voyages from June 13 onwards are expected to proceed as planned. No further disruptions to the sailing schedule of m/v Hondius are foreseen.”
Add Daily Mirror to your ‘Preferred Source’ list on Google News for