90-Second Read: Dutch cruise ship crew member tests positive for Hantavirus in isolation

A Dutch crew member from the cruise ship hit by an outbreak of Hantavirus has tested positive while isolating in the Netherlands. The new case, announced by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday, brings the total number of infections linked to the outbreak on the MV Hondius up to 12. Hantavirus usually circulates in rodents but can infect people who come into contact with their urine, droppings or saliva.

The MV Hondius reached its final destination, the Dutch port of Rotterdam, earlier this week. Only crew members were still on board and they were tested for the virus on arrival. One of the challenges in dealing with the outbreak has been the long incubation period of the virus, it can take up to 60 days for symptoms to show.

The WHO has recommended a period of 42 days of isolation for those leaving the ship. The virus is believed to have been brought onto the ship by a Dutch couple who had been travelling in South America on a bird-watching trip. More than 6,000 contacts have been traced across 30 countries and the WHO have indicated that there are still a small number of high-risk contacts that need to be located.