Hantavirus cruise ship has to undergo extra cleaning in Dutch port
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- A cruise ship linked to a deadly hantavirus outbreak is undergoing additional cleaning in Rotterdam before returning to its home port in Vlissingen, Netherlands, following advice from local health authorities.
- Oceanwide Expeditions, the operator of the ship, stated that the cleaning is based on inspection findings by the GGD health authority, which will conduct a final inspection before the vessel can depart.
- The outbreak has resulted in 12 hantavirus cases and three deaths, with no new deaths reported since May 2, and all passengers and crew remain in quarantine under close monitoring.
- The hantavirus involved, the Andes virus, can rarely spread between people, but the risk to the general public from this outbreak is considered low by health officials.
- The World Health Organization and local health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure the health and safety of those affected.