Australia to evacuate citizens from MV Hondius amid Andes hantavirus outbreak

Canberra, Australia. Australia will charter a government-supported flight to evacuate its citizens from the Dutch-flagged luxury cruise ship MV Hondius, which has been linked to a deadly outbreak of the Andes strain of hantavirus. The outbreak has prompted a multinational evacuation effort involving Australia, the United States, Spain, France, the Netherlands and other countries.

Outbreak and reported cases

The World Health Organization said eight people who had been aboard the vessel have fallen ill, with six confirmed cases of hantavirus infection. Those who died include a Dutch couple and a German national.

Australian repatriation plans

Australian Environment Minister Murray Watt said four Australians, along with one resident of Tenerife and one resident of New Zealand, would be repatriated on the Australian flight. Watt said the flight was being conducted via an Australian government-supported service and that the passengers were expected to return to Australia soon.

Quarantine arrangements

Watt said quarantine arrangements were still being finalized in coordination with Australian states and territories. Officials have not disclosed whether any of the passengers being flown to Australia are symptomatic or have tested positive for the virus.

New Zealand’s Director of Public Health, Corina Grey, said the country’s health services were prepared to support quarantine measures if necessary.

US evacuation and medical transport

The United States has also begun evacuating its citizens from the ship. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said one of the 17 Americans being repatriated tested mildly positive for the Andes strain of hantavirus, while another passenger is experiencing mild symptoms but has not yet been confirmed as infected.

Both symptomatic passengers are being transported in specialized biocontainment units aboard the evacuation aircraft. The passengers will be taken to high-level pathogen treatment facilities in the United States, including the ASPR Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Arrival screening

Health officials said all evacuees would undergo clinical assessment upon arrival and receive treatment based on their medical condition.

What measures do you expect authorities to prioritize during the quarantine and screening of returning passengers?