The Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius docked in the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, today, Monday, ending a cruise that turned into an international health crisis after the outbreak of the Hanta virus on board, in an incident that recalled the atmosphere of anxiety that accompanied the beginnings of the Corona pandemic, despite assurances from the World Health Organization that the situation does not indicate a large-scale global outbreak.
The ship, flying the Dutch flag and managed by Oceanwide Expeditions, arrived at its final destination amid strict health procedures, after recording three deaths and a number of confirmed infections with the rare virus, for which no vaccines or specific treatments are yet available.
Scenes from the port showed crew members wearing protective masks and safety helmets while preparing to disembark those remaining on board the ship, in preparation for the start of complete quarantine and sterilization operations.
There are still 25 crew members and two medical staff on board the ship, while the Dutch authorities have prepared special quarantine facilities, in which the isolation period may extend to 42 days, which is the maximum possible incubation period for the virus.
3 deaths and injuries in several countries
“Hondius” has become the focus of global attention since the beginning of this May, after the World Health Organization reported the appearance of severe respiratory symptoms on a number of passengers and crew members during the flight that started from Ushuaia, Argentina, passing through remote islands in the South Atlantic.
The outbreak resulted in the death of three people, including a Dutch couple and a German citizen, while health authorities confirmed seven confirmed infections and an additional probable case, in addition to detecting a new infection in Canada for a person who was on board the ship.
A 65-year-old French woman was also transferred to a Paris hospital in critical condition after symptoms of the disease appeared during her return flight by air, while two other passengers – a Dutchman and a Briton – were admitted to Dutch hospitals after they were evacuated from the ship.
Dutch officials confirmed that the two cases were stable, while the British citizen was allowed to leave the hospital and undergo home isolation.
The ship sparked a complex diplomatic and health crisis after the Cape Verdean authorities refused to allow it to dock and disembark passengers, leaving it to remain for days off the coast of the capital, Praia, before the World Health Organization and the European Union intervened to coordinate with Spain in order to carry out medical evacuations through the Canary Islands.
After evacuating more than 120 passengers and crew members to their home countries or to the Netherlands, the ship continued its journey towards Rotterdam with a limited crew and under strict health monitoring.
“Andean dynasty” raises concerns
According to European health authorities, the current outbreak is linked to the “Andean strain” of the Hanta virus, which is the only strain known to be able to transmit between humans, albeit in rare circumstances that require close and prolonged contact.
The virus is usually transmitted through the urine, saliva, and droppings of infected rodents, and is considered endemic in some areas of Argentina and Chile, where the sea voyage began.
The European Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that laboratory analyzes did not show any dangerous mutations in the strain discovered on board the ship.
“Low” risk
In an attempt to contain global fears, the World Health Organization stressed that the risk of the disease spreading is still “low,” stressing that there are no indications that the outbreak has turned into a new pandemic.
The Director-General of the Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that the organization does not currently see any signs of the beginning of a large-scale outbreak, despite the possibility of additional infections emerging due to the long incubation period of the virus.
This coincides with the launch of the annual assembly of the World Health Organization in Geneva, where the Hanta and Ebola files are expected to impose themselves on the discussions, amid pressures facing the organization after the United States and Argentina announced their withdrawal from it and reduced international funding allocated to it.