The MV Hondius cruise ship arrived in the Netherlands on Monday, marking the end of a seven-week journey that faced a hantavirus outbreak, resulting in 11 infections and three fatalities. The ship traveled 8,500 miles and docked in Rotterdam for disinfection just after 4:30 a.m. ET.
The outbreak of this rare disease, primarily spread by rodents, caused global concern. The ship’s captain, Jan Dobrogowski, and 26 crew members remained on board, while most passengers, including 18 Americans, are quarantined in their home countries. The ship also carried the body of a German man who died during the voyage.
The expedition began on April 1, departing from Ushuaia, Argentina, with nearly 150 people onboard for a nature sightseeing tour to remote islands. The World Health Organization is investigating the virus’s origin, with speculation that an initial infection may have occurred during a bird-watching excursion involving exposure to rodents.
Currently, there are nine confirmed cases among the passengers and two suspected cases. The hantavirus has an incubation period of up to six weeks. Recently, a Canadian passenger tested positive and is receiving hospital treatment for the Andes strain, known for person-to-person transmission.
Passengers, including Americans, have been isolating either at home or in hotels since disembarking on May 10 in Tenerife, Canary Islands. The cruise was originally headed to Cape Verde, West Africa, but docking was denied by local authorities.
Hantavirus is endemic in South America and rare among humans, with this being the first recorded instance on a cruise ship. Health officials worldwide are trying to reassure the public regarding fears of a larger outbreak.
After disinfection and inspection, the MV Hondius is scheduled to sail next month. A “Polar Cruise” is advertised starting June 5, with fares beginning at $5,750 per person on the Polartours website.