Hantavirus: Quarantine lifted for nearly all passengers of MV Hondius

The global health alert triggered by a hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius has largely subsided, with the World Health Organization confirming that most passengers and crew are now free to leave quarantine in the Netherlands. The ship, which had been on an expedition voyage, experienced a significant outbreak that led to multiple confirmed cases and deaths, raising international concern.

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Almost all passengers and crew of the MV Hondius who were quarantined in the Netherlands are now cleared to go home, including non-nationals.

After docking in Rotterdam, the remaining crew and passengers were placed in a mandatory quarantine. The WHO's director announced that with no new cases or deaths reported since early May, the situation is stable. The vessel itself was cleared for sea after undergoing thorough cleaning and disinfection.

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With no new cases reported and no deaths reported since May 2, the situation remains stable.

The incident also impacted St. Helena, a remote British island where many passengers had disembarked. The island's government declared the major hantavirus incident over, confirming that all individuals who had been in isolation had completed their 42-day quarantine period. This declaration signifies no ongoing risk to the local population, bringing a close to the health scare associated with the voyage.

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All persons identified as contacts and required to isolate have now successfully completed their mandatory 42-day period of isolation.