CRUISE SHIP TIED TO DEADLY HANTAVIRUS OUTBREAK TO ARRIVE IN ROTTERDAM FOR DISINFECTION AND CREW DISEMBARKATION. (PHOTO).

Cruise ship tied to deadly hantavirus outbreak to arrive in Rotterdam for disinfection and crew disembarkation

The MV Hondius cruise ship is scheduled to arrive on Monday at the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, where remaining crew members and medical staff will disembark, and the vessel will undergo a full cleaning and disinfection, according to the ship’s operator.

The ship has been at the center of a hantavirus outbreak that has killed three people, sickened 10 others, and placed dozens more into quarantine, according to the latest figures from global health officials.

Health authorities said a Canadian passenger who had been aboard the vessel tested positive this week for the Andes strain of hantavirus and remains hospitalized in isolation. That passenger’s travel companion, who had earlier reported mild symptoms, later tested negative, according to Canadian health officials.

Disembarkation of passengers began last week in a coordinated process involving multiple countries and international health authorities. When the ship arrives in Rotterdam, the remaining crew and medical personnel still on board will leave in stages. The operator said none of those remaining on the vessel are currently showing symptoms.

The company said the ship will be disinfected alongside the final disembarkation process, with arrival expected between 10 a.m. and noon local time, though timing may shift.

Officials with the ship’s operator said early indications suggest the vessel is expected to return to service once cleaning is completed and health authorities give approval.

The company added that final decisions will be made in coordination with relevant authorities before operations resume. Despite the outbreak, the vessel appears to already be listed for future expedition bookings later this year.