The cruise ship at the center of a deadly hantavirus outbreak has been cleared to return to service. Oceanwide Expeditions announced on June 1 that m/v Hondius had completed its deep cleaning and disinfection in Rotterdam and been cleared by Dutch health authorities to resume full operations.
“From a public health perspective, there are no objections to returning the vessel to service,” Rotterdam-Rijnmond Public Health Service said in a statement shared by the ship’s operator. Its next voyage is set to begin within weeks.
How was the ship cleaned?
Oceanwide Expeditions said biosecurity experts from EWS Group systematically treated all eight of the ship’s decks, including high-temperature steam cleaning soft surfaces and disinfecting hard surfaces with registered products and hydrogen peroxide. Third-party professionals also declared the ship rodent-free.
Hantavirus is often spread by rodents, but it’s believed the first passengers who contracted the virus were exposed off the ship, prior to embarkation.
“The completion of this deep clean and disinfection of the vessel eliminates the possibility of future transmission of hantavirus, which has limited environmental stability compared to many other viruses,” Oceanwide Expeditions said in a news release.
As of May 27, the World Health Organization reported 13 hantavirus cases, including three deaths, tied to the previous sailing.
From norovirus to hantavirus: Are cruise ships really breeding grounds for illness?
Cruise ships have long been associated with outbreaks of infectious diseases, from norovirus to hantavirus. While these incidents can be alarming, they are relatively rare and often linked to specific conditions, such as overcrowding or poor hygiene practices. However, the recent hantavirus outbreak on the m/v Hondius has raised concerns about the safety of cruise travel.
Where is the ship headed?
The expedition vessel is scheduled to undergo routine maintenance and preparation before leaving Rotterdam on June 6 for Longyearbyen, Norway, where it will begin its first Arctic cruise of the season on June 13.
A completely different crew will staff the ship. “All crew members who were present during the prior voyage of m/v Hondius have disembarked the vessel and are currently in quarantine,” according to the ship’s operator. “A crew transition has taken place, with no crew members on board having had any contact with individuals currently in quarantine.”
What does this mean for future cruises?
The clearance of the m/v Hondius to return to service marks a significant step forward for Oceanwide Expeditions. The company has taken extensive measures to ensure the safety of its passengers and crew, including thorough cleaning, disinfection, and a complete crew change.
This story was updated to refresh headlines.
