Hantavirus: Hondius in Rotterdam – everyone must now get off the ship

Rotterdam (Netherlands) – All hands off! The 27 crew members and doctors who remained on the plague ship until the end gradually left the “Hondius” on Monday afternoon. Although each of them was symptom-free until recently, they have to go into quarantine or self-isolation on land for the time being. For this purpose, a container village was set up in advance in the port of Rotterdam.

They wear purple protective suits and masks over their mouths and noses. There are 25 crew members and two medical professionals who arrived after the Evacuation of passengers remained on the ship. According to the Dutch cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions, there are 17 crew members from the Philippines, four each from Ukraine, two Dutch, one each from Russia and Poland and two Dutch doctors.

That of that Hantavirus outbreak The affected cruise ship “Hondius” had ended its journey in the Netherlands in the morning and docked in the port of Rotterdam.

Dead Germans are brought ashore

The disease broke out during a cruise from Argentina to Cape Verde. Three passengers died, as well as a German couple who is still on board and will be brought ashore by a specialized funeral home late on Monday evening, as well as a Dutch couple. The Hantavirus has so far been confirmed in seven patients, and an infection is considered probable in an eighth.

Empty “Hondius” thoroughly disinfected

Just over a week ago, around 120 passengers and the first crew members left the cruise ship and began their journey home from Tenerife on special aircraft. Because of the long incubation period and the potentially fatal course of the infection they will continue to be monitored medically.

According to Oceanwide Expeditions, the abandoned “Hondius” should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.