A passenger who was onboard the MV Hondius cruise ship at the centre of a deadly hantavirus outbreak has shared an update from inside quarantine, as delays continue to hamper the Australian government's repatriation plans.
US citizen Jake Rosmarin posted regular updates of his experience on the ship during the 35-day cruise, and continued sharing updates once news of the hantavirus outbreak emerged. The outbreak of hantavirus on the luxury cruise ship has killed three people and left a fourth person fighting for life.
Hantavirus Outbreak Details
Nine people have been infected, including a French woman who tested positive for the virus on Monday. People usually contract the virus through contact with infected rodents or their urine, droppings or saliva. However, the strain found on the cruise ship, called the Andes strain, is also spread person-to-person. It can cause hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a severe respiratory illness, with a case fatality rate up to 50 per cent.
Passengers from the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship MV Hondius have begun their journey to their home countries. The MV Hondius docked on the Spanish island of Tenerife.
Passenger Update from Quarantine
On Monday, Rosmarin shared a selfie from inside the National Quarantine Unit in Omaha, Nebraska. “Hopping back on for a second to let everyone know I’m okay and feeling well,” Rosmarin said. He said the repatriation flight was smooth, and he had safely made it to the quarantine unit, based at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. “It’s been a very long few days, but hopefully I can start giving more updates again soon,” Rosmarin said. “A special thank you as well to University of Nebraska Medical Center and the city of Omaha for welcoming us and helping ensure we are safe and cared for. Thank you again to everyone who has been supportive throughout all of this, it truly means a lot.”
Aussies Still in Limbo
Five Australians and one New Zealander were among the last to be evacuated from the ship when it was docked on the Spanish island of Tenerife. The group — three people from New South Wales, two from Queensland, and the New Zealander — were flown out on a charter flight about 4.45am AEST on Tuesday bound for the Netherlands. On Monday, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler announced the passengers would be flown to the purpose-built Bullsbrook facility, near Perth’s RAAF Base Pearce, where they will isolate for the first three weeks of their 42-day quarantine period.
Medical personnel will be on board the flights to monitor the passengers and provide assistance, and will also be transported to the Centre for their own isolation requirements. However, complications with getting the group back to Australia have led to a delay, with the passengers now told they will be carrying out the first few days of quarantine in the Netherlands. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade cited issues due to the distance of the flight and the operational requirement to refuel, making it a much more complex repatriation mission. The group are expected to remain in the Netherlands until a flight can be organised to take the passengers to Perth later this week. Butler confirmed that none of the passengers were currently displaying symptoms of the virus.
