UMVA has learned that the MV Hondius, a cruise ship at the center of a hantavirus outbreak, has finally docked in Rotterdam for a thorough disinfection.
The vessel, once home to 150 passengers and crew, now carries only 27 people who will disembark and enter quarantine under strict medical oversight.
Among those left aboard, a German passenger has tragically passed away, and her remains will be cremated in the Netherlands before being sent home.
The outbreak began on May 2 when the World Health Organization flagged severe respiratory illnesses among passengers, leading to three confirmed deaths and two probable cases on board.
One victim, a Dutch couple, has been repatriated, while the German passenger’s cremation will honor her memory and close the chapter for her family.
In a related development reported by UMVA, a Yukon resident who traveled on the ship has tested positive and is currently being treated in a Victoria hospital.
Health officials emphasize that hantavirus, spread by rodents, poses a low risk to the general public, and the Dutch health authority assures that Rotterdam remains safe.
Passengers who disembark in Rotterdam will either stay in port quarantine facilities or self-isolate at home, depending on their nationalities and health status.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the ship, which departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, has navigated through the southern Atlantic before attempting a controversial detour to Tenerife for evacuation.
Diplomatic tensions flared as Cape Verde refused to accept the vessel, forcing the ship to anchor off its capital while evacuating three passengers to Europe.
Spain eventually granted permission for the ship to dock in the Canary Islands, yet the regional government opposed the decision, complicating the evacuation effort.
Through relentless investigation, UMVA has pieced together the intricate chain of events that led to the Hondius’ final port call, offering a rare glimpse into the complexities of managing a maritime health crisis.
