90-Second Read: MV Hondius fully disinfected after deadly Hantavirus outbreak; Cleared for voyages

The MV Hondius, where an outbreak of the deadly Andes variant of Hantavirus occurred, killing three, has been declared virus-free and cleared to return to service after extensive cleaning and inspection, NOS reports. The announcement from the GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond comes after the ship was disinfected in the port of Rotterdam. Oceanwide Expeditions expects to restart Hondius's scheduled voyages on June 13.

That follows a quarantine and sanitation process that included an additional cleaning round ordered after an earlier inspection. The vessel, operated by Vlissingen-based Oceanwide Expeditions, was traveling with a group of birdwatchers from Argentina to Kaapverdië when the outbreak occurred onboard. About two weeks ago, the Hondius docked in Rotterdam, where a specialist cleaning company carried out disinfection under strict conditions.

After an initial inspection, GGD experts concluded further cleaning was required. Following that additional sanitation round, the health service determined that all requirements had been met and there were "no obstacles anymore" to returning the ship to operation. The next planned expedition will depart from Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, and sail through the island group in the Noordelijke IJszee.