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Hantavirus-Hit MV Hondius Crew Faces Six-Week Quarantine in Netherlands

The Dutch government has announced that the hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius will arrive at Rotterdam next Monday. Most crew members will undergo a six-week quarantine in the Netherlands. The vessel carries 27 people, including 17 Filipino nationals. The Dutch health institute recommends keeping Filipino crew in the Netherlands due to limited quarantine enforcement in their home country.

Key Points: MV Hondius Crew Quarantine in Netherlands

  • Dutch government announces six-week quarantine for most crew
  • MV Hondius expected at Port of Rotterdam next Monday
  • 27 people aboard, including 25 crew and 2 medical staff
  • 17 Filipino crew advised to remain in Netherlands for full quarantine
2 min read

Most crew members aboard MV Hondius to undergo quarantine in Netherlands upon arrival

Hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius to arrive in Rotterdam; 25 crew members undergo six-week quarantine amid infection concerns.

"Rotterdam has been designated in the Netherlands as the port for the handling of infectious diseases in shipping. - Sophie Hermans and Tom Berendsen"

The Hague, May 16

The Dutch government has announced that the hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius is expected to arrive at the Port of Rotterdam next Monday, with most crew members set to undergo a six-week quarantine in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

"Rotterdam has been designated in the Netherlands as the port for the handling of infectious diseases in shipping," according to a letter sent to parliament on Friday (local time) and signed by Sophie Hermans, Dutch minister of health, welfare and sport, and Tom Berendsen, the country's foreign minister.

According to Oceanwide Expeditions, the Dutch operator of the vessel, there are currently 27 people on board, including 25 crew members and two medical personnel. The group consists of 17 Filipinos, four Dutch nationals, four Ukrainians, one Russian, and one Polish national.

The ministers said that some crew members would enter home quarantine upon arrival, while those unable to return immediately to their home countries would be housed in designated quarantine facilities, reports Xinhua news agency.

Regarding the vessel's 17 Filipino crew members, the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) recommended that they remain in the Netherlands for the entire six-week quarantine period.

"The reasons for this advice are the limited possibilities for implementing and enforcing quarantine in the country of origin, as well as limited access to optimal medical care in the event of the onset of illness, with commensurate risks for both local and global public health and for the individual health of the crew members in question," the letter said.

It added that the RIVM's recommendation followed careful consultations with the World Health Organization (WHO) and is in line with WHO guidance.

The vessel will also undergo cleaning by a specialised external company in accordance with RIVM guidelines, which incorporate WHO recommendations and are being implemented in close cooperation with the Rotterdam municipal health service.

"Personal protective measures are being taken to ensure that the cleaners do not need to quarantine after the cleaning," the letter said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sneha F
Six weeks is a long time for those crew members. I can only imagine how difficult it must be for them, especially being far from home. The health of the global community is important, but we must also think about the mental well-being of these individuals.
A
Arjun K
I appreciate that the WHO and RIVM are coordinating on this. It's good to see international cooperation during health crises. But I hope the cleaning crew has adequate protection - no one should be put at risk unnecessarily. 👍
J
Jennifer L
It's concerning that the Philippine government's quarantine capabilities were questioned. While I understand the health concerns, I hope this doesn't create a precedent where countries with less healthcare infrastructure are treated differently.
K
Karan T
The Dutch authorities seem well-prepared with a designated port for infectious diseases. India should take note and have similar protocols in place at our major ports. Prevention is always better than cure! 💪
P
Pooja D
While I support quarantine measures, I find it a bit problematic that some crew members get home quarantine while others are confined to facilities. Consistency in treatment would be better. That said, I hope all 27 people on board remain healthy. 🤞
N
Naveen S
It's heartening to see that even after the pandemic, countries are

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