After a harrowing hantavirus outbreak that sickened 13 passengers and killed three, the MV Hondius has been declared safe by Dutch health officials. the ship, owned by Oceanwide Expeditions, will leave Rotterdam on June 13, marking its return to the cruise calendar.

Health Agency Confirms No Remaining Obstacles on June 13

The Dutch public health agency announced that the deep‑clean in Rotterdam met all established guidelines,stating there were “no longer any obstacles to putting the Hondius back to sea.” This clearnace follows a comprehensive disinfection that targeted the rodent‑borne virus believed to have spread aboard the vessel.

Outbreak Timeline: From Ushuaia to Rotterdam

The contagion emerged during a voyage that began in Ushuaia, Argentina, and was bound for Cape Verde.. Three passegers died after falling ill, and 13 cases were confirmed before the ship docked in Rotterdam on May 18. Passengers were evacuated at various ports, including St Helena and Tenerife, before the alert was raised.

British Passengers’ Quarantine Experience

Twenty‑two British travelers were taken to Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside. Six were released to finish isolation at home on May 13, while sixteen remained hospitalized as of the latest report. their cases highlighted the challenges of managing a rare disease without specific treatments or vaccines.

What Remains Unclear About the Source of Infection

Authorities have not identified the precise rodent vector that introduced hantavirus onto the MV Hondius, and the report does not name any crew members as carriers.. Additionally, it is unknown whether any further passengers will be screened before the ship’s next departure.