Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship Concludes with Return to Netherlands

The cruise ship MV Hondius, affected by a hantavirus outbreak, arrived in the Netherlands on Monday. The ship completed a seven-week, 8,500-mile voyage, during which 11 infections and three deaths from the rare virus were reported.

The vessel docked in Rotterdam just after 4:30 a.m. EDT for disinfection. Authorities worldwide were alerted following the outbreak of the virus, primarily spread by rodents. On board were only the captain, Jan Dobrogowski, and 26 crew members. Most passengers, including 18 Americans, are quarantined in their home countries. The ship also carried the body of a German man who passed away at sea.

The cruise began on April 1 from Ushuaia, Argentina, with nearly 150 people on board on a nature expedition to remote islands. An investigation by the World Health Organization aims to trace the virus’s origin, with a theory suggesting rodent exposure during a bird-watching trip as the initial source.

The MV Hondius arrives at the Dutch port of Rotterdam on Monday. Image credit: Omar Havana / Getty Images

There have been nine confirmed cases from the Hondius passengers, along with two suspected cases. The hantavirus incubation period can extend up to six weeks. A Canadian passenger tested positive last week and is currently hospitalized. The passengers were affected by the Andes strain, capable of human-to-human transmission.

Health workers enter the MV Hondius wearing personal protective equipment. Image credit: Nicolas Tucat / AFP via Getty Images

Passengers, including Americans, are isolating at home or in hotels since their departure from Tenerife in the Canary Islands on May 10. The ship was initially stranded when Cape Verde denied permission to dock.

Hantavirus is endemic in parts of South America and rare among humans. It has never been recorded on a cruise ship until now. Health officials globally and in the U.S. have worked to calm fears of a wider outbreak.

The MV Hondius is scheduled to resume voyages next month. A “Polar Cruise” is set for June 5, with fares starting at $5,750 per person, according to the Polartours website.