Europe places cruise ship passengers under 42-day quarantine following hantavirus outbreak

European nations have launched a large-scale operation for the quarantine and medical surveillance of passengers from the cruise ship MV Hondius, following a hantavirus outbreak on board. This was reported by Euronews. Most passengers have already been returned to their home countries, where they will undergo PCR testing, isolation, and prolonged medical observation.

The ship arrived at the Canary Islands in Spain on Sunday under emergency sanitary measures. There were 147 people from 23 countries on board, including approximately 70 European citizens.

The operation is being coordinated between the Spanish government, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

To date, all passengers have undergone an initial medical examination, and flights and transfers to various European countries have been organized.

According to the Spanish Ministry of Health, 54 people still remain on the ship:

• 26 will continue the journey by sea;
• 28 will be transported by plane.

All have been directed to the Netherlands, with six scheduled to depart for Australia later.

Spain

14 Spanish citizens have been admitted to the Gómez Ulla Military Hospital in Madrid—one of the few medical facilities in the country with a highly specialized isolation unit.

Spanish authorities announced that passengers will remain under a 42-day quarantine, accompanied by regular PCR testing for any potential new cases.

France

Five passengers arrived in France on Sunday. One of them developed symptoms during transport and has already been confirmed as a new case of hantavirus, the French Ministry of Health reported.

French authorities issued a special decree stating that all passengers from the ship will first be placed in medical quarantine and then in isolation for a total of 42 days.

“Any person who has been in contact with the passengers or the infected individuals may be placed under quarantine or isolation if it is deemed that a serious risk of infection exists,” authorities stated.

Netherlands

A plane with 26 passengers arrived in the Netherlands on Sunday, eight of whom are Dutch citizens.

After landing in Eindhoven, they were transported to their homes, where they will remain in self-isolation for 42 days.

Foreign nationals who do not reside in the Netherlands will be accommodated in special quarantine centers.

During the quarantine, passengers may only go out for short walks:

• with a minimum distance of 1.5 meters;
• with the mandatory wearing of a mask.

Germany

There were eight German citizens on board, including one of the deceased.

Four German passengers have already been transported to a hospital in Frankfurt, where they will be examined before being moved to their respective federal states for quarantine.

The German Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported that local health authorities will monitor each passenger individually.

Belgium

Two Belgian passengers arrived in the country on Sunday and were admitted to the Antwerp University Hospital.

If they do not show symptoms, they will be sent home, where they will remain under the supervision of the Flemish health services.

Greece

Greece has only one citizen on board the ship.

The individual is asymptomatic and has been placed under precautionary quarantine at the Attikon University Hospital in Athens.

According to the hospital, the quarantine will last for 45 days.

Ireland

Two passengers were transported from Spain to Ireland.

They arrived in Dublin on Sunday and were placed in isolation at a medical facility, where they will be tested and monitored.

According to Irish health authorities, both are “in good condition and asymptomatic.”

United Kingdom

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported that 20 British citizens, one German permanent resident of the UK, and one Japanese passenger have been admitted to Arrowe Park Hospital in Northwest England.

Following a 72-hour testing period, passengers will be required to remain in isolation for up to 45 days, undergoing regular examinations and medical surveillance.