Dutch Authorities Allow Hundeus to Return to Service

The Public Health Service of the Dutch port of Rotterdam announced on Saturday the lifting of restrictions on the cruise ship "Hundios", after the completion of comprehensive cleaning and sterilization operations following the outbreak of the deadly Hantavirus on board. The agency confirmed in an official statement that the last inspection conducted on Friday concluded that there were no health barriers preventing the ship from returning to service, noting that infection control experts acknowledged the effectiveness of the Cleaning and disinfection carried out in accordance with approved international standards. The Dutch-flagged ship was the focus of widespread international attention after the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that three passengers had died of hantavirus infection during a trip from the Argentine city of Ushuaia to Cape Verde. Hantavirus is classified as a rare and serious disease that is usually spread through infected rodents, especially through exposure to their bodily secretions, and is not available Currently specific vaccines or treatments to counteract it. Most of the passengers were evacuated on the island of Tenerife in the Spanish Canary archipelago, where they were airlifted to their countries of origin, while the crew of the ship was placed in quarantine upon its arrival in the port of Rotterdam on May 18. Oceanwide Expeditions, the ship's owner, announced its readiness to resume the cruise program from June 13, confirming its commitment complete with the highest health safety standards.