First Australian hantavirus cruise ship passenger speaks from quarantine

Peter Marsh, an 82-year-old Australian passenger aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, has broken his silence from a quarantine facility in Western Australia, detailing the harrowing experience of a hantavirus outbreak that claimed three lives.

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My feelings are that nobody's responsible for, or to blame for what's happened

Repatriated to Australia on May 15, Marsh and other passengers have been undergoing a six-week quarantine at the Bullsbrook Centre for National Resilience. "My feelings are that nobody's responsible for, or to blame for what's happened," Marsh stated. He acknowledged the first victim likely brought the virus aboard unknowingly, paying "the ultimate price."

Marsh commended the cruise company's efforts to mitigate the risk once the situation became apparent. "The [cruise company], once they became aware of what was going on, they worked assiduously to minimise the risk for the rest of us," he said. He also expressed gratitude for the Australian government's repatriation efforts.

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The [cruise company], once they became aware of what was going on, they worked assiduously to minimise the risk for the rest of us

Describing the outbreak as a "huge shock," Marsh recalled the growing fear onboard as passengers fell ill and deaths mounted. He noted the spread of "appalling material" by some influencers exacerbated anxiety. Despite the "tiresome" nature of quarantine, Marsh affirmed its value: "if one person is saved from getting sick, let alone dying, as a result of our quarantining, then it's all well worthwhile."

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if one person is saved from getting sick, let alone dying, as a result of our quarantining, then it's all well worthwhile.