Hondius Undergoes Extra Cleaning After 3 Deaths as Rotterdam Orders Final Inspection
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · May 26
Hondius Undergoes Extra Cleaning After 3 Deaths as Rotterdam Orders Final Inspection
11 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · May 26
Rotterdam health officials ordered additional cleaning on the Hondius after inspection findings, delaying the cruise ship’s clearance to leave port until a final GGD check.
Oceanwide Expeditions gave no reason for the extra measures, though the vessel had been expected to need about three days of cleaning and disinfection after returning early last week.
Tedros said 12 hantavirus cases and three deaths have been reported to WHO, with no new deaths since May 2; passengers and crew remain quarantined and under close monitoring.
The outbreak involves Andes virus, a hantavirus usually linked to rodent contamination but capable of rare person-to-person spread, though officials say the public risk remains low.
Oceanwide had earlier said it expected no operational changes, but it now says only voyages from June 13 onward will proceed as scheduled, putting the May 29 Arctic sailing in doubt.
With a fatal hantavirus now at sea, what hidden health risks does adventure tourism face?
How did a rare, rodent-borne virus manage to spread between humans on a modern cruise ship?