Hondius operator expects to say by the end of the week when the ship will sail again

Key Points:

• The Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius experienced a hantavirus outbreak resulting in three passenger deaths and multiple infections; the operator Oceanwide Expeditions expects to decide by the end of the week whether the ship will continue its scheduled cruises starting late May.
• Over 120 passengers and crew were evacuated and isolated following the outbreak, and the ship is currently sailing to Rotterdam for thorough cleaning and disinfection, with protocols being finalized in coordination with health authorities.
• Hantavirus, primarily spread through rodent droppings and rarely between people, has no specific treatment, and the Andes virus strain involved can have a high mortality rate; however, experts believe basic sanitation and disinfection should make future cruises safe.
• A separate gastrointestinal illness outbreak on a British cruise ship affecting over 1,700 people was ruled unrelated to the hantavirus incident, with norovirus being a more common and contagious threat on cruise ships.
• Oceanwide Expeditions maintains it has no indication of rodents aboard the Hondius and follows strict hygiene protocols, suggesting the outbreak likely originated from land exposure and future risk on the ship is low.