{"id":338062,"date":"2026-05-21T00:52:54","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T19:22:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/?p=338062"},"modified":"2026-05-21T00:52:54","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T19:22:54","slug":"hantavirus-hit-cruise-operator-says-ship-was-not-source-of-outbreak-national","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/21\/hantavirus-hit-cruise-operator-says-ship-was-not-source-of-outbreak-national\/","title":{"rendered":"Hantavirus-hit cruise operator says ship was not source of outbreak – National"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The operator of the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship said that indications \u201cstrongly suggest\u201d the virus was introduced prior to embarkation and \u201cdidn’t originate from the vessel itself.\u201d<\/p>\n

The MV Hondius, operated by Dutch company Oceanwide Expeditions, made headlines when three individuals died after contracting hantavirus during their voyage earlier this month.<\/p>\n

Hantavirus is especially spread by contact with rodents or their urine, saliva or droppings, particularly when the fabric is disturbed and becomes airborne, posing a risk of inhalation,\u00a0based on the Canadian government<\/a>. However the\u00a0hantavirus that has caused the present outbreak, called the Andes virus, may have the opportunity to spread between people in rare cases.<\/p>\n

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In a press release on Tuesday<\/a>, Oceanwide Expeditions CEO Remi Bouysset said that the indications are based on \u201cthe medical and epidemiological information currently available, including guidance from WHO experts and relevant health authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cInvestigations remain ongoing regarding the precise location where the virus can have been contracted. At this stage, there is no such thing as a indication that the source of infection was linked to the vessel\u2019s condition or to Oceanwide Expeditions\u2019 onboard operations,\u201d Bouysset said.<\/p>\n

The MV Hondius maintains \u201cstrict pest-control and biosecurity procedures onboard our vessels, including regular inspections and monitoring,\u201d based on the CEO.<\/p>\n

He said that pest control and biosecurity procedures were performed throughout the voyage, which began on April 1, and showed no evidence of rodents or pests being present throughout.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat initially seemed to be an isolated medical situation evolved right into a way more serious and sophisticated event, requiring the rapid constructing of a world coalition and the total activation of crisis management procedures,\u201d Bouysset added.<\/p>\n

The response of the cruise ship operator evolved around three operational phases, including \u201cemergency medical stabilization and evacuation operations in Cape Verde,\u201d \u201ccontrolled disembarkation, screening, quarantine, and transition operations within the Canary Islands\u201d and \u201cvessel transit to Rotterdam, vessel sanitization, crew transition, operational restart, resilience, and lessons learned.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The ship arrived safely in Rotterdam on Monday and the remaining crew are being disembarked under the applicable guidance and procedures. The repatriation of the deceased individual who remained on board will happen with \u201cthe best care and respect,\u201d Bouysset said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe vessel will now undergo a whole cleansing and sanitization process, along with the total implementation of additional protocols, procedures, and a whole crew transition before returning to operations. We would like to take the essential time to finish every step properly and responsibly,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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Bouysset added that Oceanwide Expeditions will be sure that MV Hondius returns to the sector \u201cfully prepared and with the best possible standards of safety and operational readiness, with the continuation of our Arctic season currently planned for 13 June.\u201d<\/p>\n

Oceanwide Expeditions said that it has been impacted over the recent weeks \u201clike every company facing an exceptional situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNonetheless, we remain resilient, focused, and financially solid. Since our foundation in 1993, we’ve navigated difficult periods before, at all times by staying near our values: serious operations, small-ship expeditions, experienced people, and long-term pondering,\u201d the corporate added.<\/p>\n

Bouysset said that the corporate will proceed to review the hantavirus situation fastidiously with relevant experts and authorities and \u201ctake the teachings from it seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe operate in among the most distant regions on earth. That comes with responsibility toward our guests, crew, partners, and the environments we explore. Situations like these remind us of the importance of preparation, teamwork, experience, and calm decision-making under pressure,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

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Oceanwide Expedition\u2019s focus now’s on \u201csupporting those affected, allowing teams to get better, completing the remaining procedures responsibly, and preparing for the subsequent phase.\u201d<\/p>\n

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