Overview
- The MV Hondius returned to Rotterdam for disinfection and quarantine after a hantavirus cluster was identified during its April expedition, with the ship docking and isolation measures put in place on 18 May.
- Health authorities and Oceanwide confirmed the Andes hantavirus was linked to the cluster and reported multiple hospitalizations and several passenger deaths; a French woman over 65 remains in intensive care.
- Oceanwide says no rodents were found on board and that current epidemiological data suggest the virus was likely introduced before passengers boarded, while a scientific team is searching for rodent reservoirs in Tierra del Fuego.
- The operator has begun a complete cleaning and disinfection of the vessel, quarantined the remaining 27 crew and medical staff, and plans a full crew renewal with a conditional target to resume sailings on June 13.
- The World Health Organization describes the incident as serious but of low wider public-health risk, noting the Andes strain can transmit between people and that no specific vaccine or antiviral exists, which raises scrutiny of expedition cruise controls and passenger safety.