Hantavirus-Stricken Cruise Ship MV Hondius Docks in Rotterdam With Only Crew Aboard

The Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius, hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak, has docked at its final destination in Rotterdam. Only the ship's crew were aboard for the last leg of the journey, as all passengers disembarked in the Canary Islands between 10 and 11 May.

Rotterdam port harbour master René de Vries said 25 mobile homes kitted out with catering and satellite communications would be available for the crew to self-isolate in. Three people – a Dutch couple and a German woman – died after travelling on the ship, with two of them confirmed to have had the virus. Canadian authorities confirmed another case on Sunday, bringing the number of infections among cruise passengers to 11. On Friday, the World Health Organization had said eight cases were confirmed and a further two were suspected.

Director of GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond, Yvonnes van Duijnhoven, said the ship's doctor and nurse had collected samples aboard. These will be tested on the ship's arrival, and further tests will be carried out on Monday afternoon to check if the crew have hantavirus. Hantavirus is a group of viruses carried by rodents. While most hantaviruses do not pass from person to person, rare instances of human transmission have been documented with the Andes virus strain – which is the strain behind this outbreak.

The WHO has recommended 42 days of isolation for those leaving the MV Hondius. De Vries said the port received a request to dock the cruise 10 days ago and, after contacting the regional health service, agreed the Dutch-flagged ship would be welcome. The port collaborated with health and local authorities ahead of the ship's arrival. Now that the vessel is moored, de Vries added, it will be properly cleaned and then can leave again.

The luxury cruise, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, began its journey on 1 April in Ushuaia, Argentina. About 150 passengers and crew from 28 countries were initially aboard, but dozens disembarked on the island of St Helena on 24 April. Cape Verde was the vessel's intended final destination, but authorities there prevented passengers from disembarking. The WHO and the European Union then requested that Spain allow the ship to sail to the Canary Islands and coordinate the repatriation of those on board. On 10 May, the ship arrived in Tenerife, where the remaining passengers disembarked. The ship then set off to the Netherlands on 11 May with only crew members and medical staff aboard.

Now the MV Hondius is in Rotterdam. The passengers are gone. Three people are dead. The crew faces 42 days in mobile homes. And the ship will be cleaned – thoroughly, one hopes – before it ever sails again. Hantavirus is a rare and brutal way to die. The Andes strain can pass from person to person, which is why the WHO is taking no chances. The port of Rotterdam, for its part, is doing what ports do: accepting the ship, isolating the crew, and hoping the next outbreak stays far away. For the families of the dead, the journey is over. For the crew, it is just beginning. For the cruise industry, it is another black mark in a year full of them. The MV Hondius has reached its final destination. The questions about what happened on board – and who is responsible – have only just begun.