Six passengers evacuated from the hantavirus-infected MV Hondius cruise ship have touched down in Australia, where they will spend at least three weeks in quarantine. The repatriation flight departed from the Netherlands on Thursday and landed at RAAF Base Pearce, northeast of Perth in Western Australia, at approximately 11am AWST on Friday.
Passengers in quarantine
Four Australian citizens, one permanent resident, and one New Zealand citizen have been transported to the Centre for National Resilience in Bullsbrook for monitoring. They wore protective gear when leaving the base in a van.
Health Minister Mark Butler confirmed on Friday that the passengers remain in good health. He noted that they exhibited no symptoms during the flight or upon arrival and have tested negative for the disease. They underwent an initial health assessment after landing, having been monitored by a doctor on the plane throughout the journey.
PCR tests taken in Perth will be processed in Melbourne, with results expected within 24 hours. Authorities consider it low risk that any of the group will return a positive result, but Butler stated that hospitals in the Perth metropolitan area are equipped to handle such a case.
Quarantine arrangements
The evacuated group will remain in quarantine for at least three weeks and will be closely monitored. A review during their stay will determine subsequent arrangements. The flight crew is also expected to quarantine at the facility.
Health experts from the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre in Darwin have been deployed to track the progress of the six passengers. Butler emphasized that this quarantine arrangement is among the strongest globally for repatriated passengers from the cruise ship. He noted that most countries, including the US, UK, and many European nations, quarantine passengers for only two to three days before allowing them to return home. Australia has adopted a stricter approach to ensure no risk of virus transmission into the community.
Quarantine facility
The 500-bed quarantine facility in Bullsbrook has largely remained unused since its construction during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was established for precisely such situations. The facility offers Wi-Fi, television, and balconies. Butler acknowledged that passengers would likely prefer to be home and thanked them for their cooperation throughout the difficult ordeal.
Hantavirus outbreak
According to the World Health Organisation, there have been 11 confirmed hantavirus cases, including three deaths, from the cluster reported on the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius.
