Cruise Ship Hit by Deadly Hantavirus Outbreak Docks in Rotterdam

MV Hondius seen at Rotterdam Port

The Dutch expedition cruise ship MV Hondius has arrived at its final destination in Rotterdam after being at the center of a deadly hantavirus outbreak that infected multiple passengers during a transatlantic voyage.

Only crew members and medical personnel remained aboard during the final leg to the Netherlands after all passengers disembarked in the Canary Islands between 10 and 11 May.

Authorities in Rotterdam confirmed extensive preparations were made ahead of the vessel’s arrival. Harbor master René de Vries said 25 temporary mobile homes equipped with catering services and satellite communications had been set up to allow crew members to self-isolate safely.

Three Deaths Linked to Outbreak

The outbreak aboard the vessel has so far been linked to the deaths of three passengers — a Dutch couple and a German woman. Two of the victims were confirmed to have contracted hantavirus.

Canadian health authorities also confirmed an additional case on Sunday, bringing the total number of infections among passengers to 11. Earlier this week, the World Health Organization reported eight confirmed cases and two suspected infections tied to the outbreak.

Health officials in Rotterdam said further testing would continue after the ship’s arrival. Yvonne van Duijnhoven confirmed that samples collected aboard by the ship’s medical staff would be analyzed immediately, with additional testing scheduled to determine whether any crew members are infected.

Rare Human Transmission Raises Concerns

Hantavirus is typically spread through contact with infected rodents or exposure to contaminated droppings and urine. Human-to-human transmission is considered extremely rare.

However, health authorities believe this outbreak involves the Andes virus strain — one of the few hantavirus variants known to spread between humans occasionally.

Because of that risk, the WHO recommended a 42-day isolation period for individuals who had been aboard the ship.

A Voyage Marked by Restrictions and Diversions

Operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, the luxury expedition cruise departed from Ushuaia on 1 April with around 150 passengers and crew from 28 countries.

Dozens of passengers first disembarked on the island of Saint Helena on 24 April as concerns about illness aboard the vessel grew.

The ship had originally planned to finish its voyage in Cape Verde, but authorities there denied permission for passengers to leave the vessel.

Following requests from the WHO and the European Union, Spain later authorized the ship to sail to the Canary Islands, where remaining passengers finally disembarked in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on 10 May.

Cleanup and Investigation Continue

Rotterdam officials said the port had coordinated closely with health authorities and local agencies for more than a week before allowing the ship to dock.

Now moored in Rotterdam, the vessel will undergo a full cleaning and sanitization process before any future operations are considered.