Cruise Ship Disinfected After Hantavirus Outbreak in Rotterdam
Updated on May 18, 2026 / 6:36 AM EDT / CBS/AP
Rotterdam, Netherlands — A cruise ship affected by a deadly hantavirus outbreak has arrived at the Dutch port of Rotterdam to undergo disinfection, concluding a problematic voyage that raised international health concerns.
The MV Hondius, carrying 25 crew members and two medical staff, reached Rotterdam on Monday morning. Passengers had disembarked at a previous location. Oceanwide Expeditions, the ship’s operator, reported no symptoms among those on board. Crew members were seen wearing masks as the ship navigated into the port, escorted by a tug boat and a Dutch police boat.
Close to the docking site, authorities arranged 25 white containers between a line of windmills along the water. These containers will serve as quarantine facilities for the crew. Those unable to return home will remain in quarantine, equipped with satellite internet and catering services, as stated by René de Vries, the harbor master.
“The ship is in need, the ship is at sea, crew members are sick, probably affected. So in that case, I think it’s unacceptable to say no, you’re not welcome in the biggest port of Europe,” de Vries expressed.
Rotterdam port has a history of accommodating ships suffering misfortunes in the North Sea. However, this occasion marks the first instance of welcoming a vessel that journeyed from Antarctica. Health authorities from the port will collaborate with the Erasmus Medical Center and the city of Rotterdam to ensure the ship undergoes proper disinfection.
Three passengers from the MV Hondius succumbed to the virus, including a Dutch couple believed to be the first to contract the virus while visiting South America. Nine confirmed cases of the virus have surfaced aboard the ship, including one Canadian passenger who tested positive.
International Response and Safety Measures
The Public Health Agency of Canada stated it will share information from the positive case with the World Health Organization (WHO). Crew members who cannot return home are to remain quarantined in the Netherlands, as confirmed by the Dutch health ministry.
Approximately two dozen passengers and crew are currently in quarantine in the Netherlands, following their arrival on flights over the previous two weeks. In the USA, eighteen Americans from the MV Hondius are under surveillance at specialized health facilities designed for cases involving serious infectious diseases.
The WHO emphasizes the rarity of this outbreak, indicating it does not parallel COVID-19. Although the outbreak initiated on the cruise ship, the virus’s incubation period signals that more cases might surface later.
Once everyone disembarks, the MV Hondius will be decontaminated under Dutch public health regulations. Public health officials will inspect and approve the vessel before future sailing commences.
Future Outlook for the Cruise Company
The Dutch cruise line stated no anticipated adjustments to its operations following the outbreak. An Arctic cruise is scheduled to depart from Keflavik, Iceland, on May 29.
France’s Pasteur Institute confirmed sequencing of the Andes virus detected in a French passenger from the MV Hondius cruise. The analysis revealed familiarity with known South American strains, showing no signs of increased transmissibility or severity.