90-Second Read: Hondius Cruise Ship Cleared for Return to Service After Hantavirus Outbreak

Dutch health authorities and the operators of the expedition cruise ship Hondius confirmed that the ship has completed its deep cleaning and disinfect... The ship will return to service on June 13, beginning its planned season of expeditions in the Arctic. The expedition cruise ship remains docked in Rotterdam, currently undergoing a resupply and preparations for its return to service.

Experts from the GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond said they had determined that the Hondius had been effectively cleaned and that the disinfection had been completed. The company continues to highlight the information from the World Health Organization and others that believe the virus was brought aboard by passengers who had become infected while traveling in South America. Passengers from the cruise also remain in quarantine in various countries around the world.

They are about halfway through their quarantine period, and so far, only one additional case has been reported in Spain. The WHO said as of May 21, a total of 13 cases, including the three originally reported deaths from the ship. According to Oceanwide Expeditions, the process required intensive coordination between multiple parties, with the actual work being undertaken by 13 biosecurity experts provided by EWS Group.