A flight carrying passengers from the cruise ship MV Hondius, where a hantavirus outbreak was recorded, has arrived in Australia. Six people were sent to quarantine after landing near Perth, despite negative tests and an absence of symptoms, UNN reports, citing several foreign media outlets.
According to international media, the aircraft landed at RAAF Base Pearce near Perth. There were six people on board: four Australian citizens, one permanent resident of Australia, and one New Zealand citizen.
Details
Before departing from the Netherlands, all passengers underwent hantavirus testing. The results were negative, and no symptoms of the disease were detected. At the same time, Australian authorities decided to implement precautionary measures due to the potential incubation period of the infection.
Upon arrival, the passengers were transported to the Centre for National Resilience. They are required to remain in quarantine there for at least three weeks. Enhanced safety protocols were applied during the flight, landing, and transportation, including the use of personal protective equipment and contact restrictions.
Australian health authorities state that the risk of a hantavirus epidemic to the general public remains low. Meanwhile, medical professionals will continue to monitor the passengers.
Context
The hantavirus outbreak is linked to the cruise vessel MV Hondius. According to the World Health Organization, 11 cases of the disease were registered on board, and three people have died. Some of the cases were laboratory-confirmed as infections caused by the Andes virus—a type of hantavirus that can be transmitted from person to person.
The WHO was notified of a cluster of severe respiratory illnesses on board on May 2. Patients exhibited fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and shock.
Following the evacuation of passengers, the MV Hondius is set to undergo disinfection. Part of the crew also remains under medical supervision.
What you need to know about hantavirus
Hantaviruses are typically transmitted to humans through contact with the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents. Person-to-person transmission is considered rare; however, in the case of the Andes virus, this possibility is being examined more closely. This is why countries are applying enhanced quarantine measures for individuals who may have been at risk.
As a reminder
The hantavirus from the cruise ship has reached Europe. In a hospital in Nijmegen (Netherlands), 12 medical workers were isolated after coming into contact with a patient's biomaterials.