90-Second Read: MV Hondius To Resume Sailing 34 Days After Hantavirus Outbreak Passengers Disembarked

MV Hondius will resume sailing on June 13 after a Hantavirus outbreak linked to 13 cases and 3 deaths prompted public health measures. MV Hondius, the Oceanwide Expeditions cruise ship linked to a deadly Hantavirus outbreak, is scheduled to resume passenger operations on June 13, 34 days after passengers and crew who were on board during the outbreak disembarked in Tenerife, Spain. Oceanwide Expeditions said MV Hondius arrived in Rotterdam after the outbreak disrupted the ship's itinerary and prompted public health measures for passengers and crew. MV Hondius is set to sail again after a deadly Hantavirus outbreak prompted canceled voyages and additional cleaning.

The agency also reported three deaths and said all cases involved passengers or crew who traveled aboard MV Hondius. The CDC states that Hantaviruses can cause serious illness and death. Symptoms of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome can begin 1 to 8 weeks after exposure and may include fatigue, fever, muscle aches, coughing, and shortness of breath. Oceanwide said all sailings from June 13 onward will proceed as scheduled, with the next voyage departing from Longyearbyen, Svalbard, for North Spitsbergen.

The company canceled two earlier voyages, scheduled for May 29 and June 5, to allow for an in-depth cleaning and disinfection process after the ship docked in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on May 18. The health department was expected to conduct a final inspection after the additional cleaning. The WHO said it received notification on May 2 about a cluster of severe acute respiratory illness aboard the Netherlands-flagged MV Hondius. People usually get Hantavirus through contact with infected rodents, especially exposure to their urine, droppings, and saliva.

The ship's planned move from Rotterdam to Vlissingen was later delayed after GGD Rotterdam advised additional cleaning procedures. Oceanwide said all voyages from June 13 onward would proceed as scheduled and that it did not expect further disruption to the sailing calendar. Oceanwide said the added work was intended to ensure the vessel could return to service safely before departing Rotterdam.