Overview
- In May multiple people aboard the MV Hondius contracted the Andes variant of hantavirus and three passengers died.
- The ship returned to Rotterdam where passengers and crew were evacuated or disembarked, and members of the prior voyage remain in quarantine while a new crew boarded.
- Specialist teams carried out a systematic deep clean across all eight decks that removed organic residue, disinfected hard surfaces and high‑temperature steam‑cleaned soft surfaces.
- Dutch public‑health officials and qualified third‑party inspectors assessed the vessel and declared it disinfected and rodent‑free after their evaluation.
- Oceanwide Expeditions has scheduled early‑June sailings with the replacement crew and the World Health Organization continues to say there is no expectation of a wider outbreak.