The expedition cruise vessel MV Hondius arrived at the Port of Rotterdam on Monday, May 18th, following a transatlantic voyage overshadowed by a hantavirus outbreak that prompted a large-scale international public health response.
The ship reached Europe’s largest port carrying 25 crew members and two medical personnel after passengers had previously disembarked in Tenerife during evacuation operations coordinated by European and international health authorities. Upon arrival, specialist response teams wearing protective equipment boarded the vessel as preparations began for quarantine and decontamination procedures.
Dutch health officials stated that the remaining crew would enter quarantine upon disembarkation, with those unable to return immediately to their home countries housed in temporary accommodation facilities established within the port area. Yvonne van Duijnhoven, Director of Public Health in Rotterdam, indicated that no crew members had so far displayed symptoms associated with the virus, though testing and weekly medical monitoring would continue throughout the quarantine period. Authorities further emphasised that strict containment protocols had been implemented to minimise any risk to the wider public.
After disembarkation procedures are completed, the vessel is expected to undergo a full decontamination programme in accordance with Dutch public health regulations. The operation will include specialist cleaning and disinfection of passenger accommodation, technical spaces, and public areas before the ship can be cleared for future operations.
The outbreak aboard MV Hondius is regarded as the first known hantavirus cluster associated with a cruise vessel. According to the World Health Organization, at least 11 cases have been linked to the outbreak, including nine laboratory-confirmed infections. Three passengers have died during the incident, including a Dutch couple believed to have been among the earliest exposed individuals during travel in South America prior to embarkation.
Health authorities in several countries continue to monitor passengers repatriated from the vessel. Canadian officials confirmed that one passenger tested positive after returning to North America, while passengers from the United States, France, and other European nations remain under medical observation or quarantine. French medical authorities also confirmed that one patient linked to the outbreak remains in intensive care.
Investigations conducted by the Pasteur Institute and international epidemiological agencies have identified the virus involved as the Andes strain of hantavirus, a South American variant known for rare instances of human-to-human transmission. Sequencing analysis has so far found no evidence suggesting increased transmissibility or mutation beyond previously documented characteristics.
Oceanwide Expeditions has indicated that it does not currently anticipate changes to its operational schedule, with the vessel provisionally expected to resume service later this month following completion of quarantine and inspection procedures.