Federal Health Minister Mark Butler has confirmed that five Australians and one New Zealander who were aboard the hantavirus-stricken MV Hondius cruise ship are in good health. The passengers arrived in the Netherlands on Tuesday and are undergoing medical assessments in hotel quarantine.
Butler said the government is working to finalise repatriation plans within 48 hours, with the group expected to fly to Perth later this week. Upon arrival, they will be transported immediately to the Bullsbrook quarantine centre for at least three weeks of isolation.
The minister noted that the quarantine period may be extended to 42 days in line with World Health Organisation recommendations for hantavirus. Staff from the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre in Darwin will care for the passengers at the facility.
Western Australia's Health Minister Meredith Hammat said the state's tertiary hospitals are equipped to handle a potential infection, though she described the risk as unlikely. Premier Roger Cook added that the risk to the community is next to zero, as hantavirus is not highly contagious.
This will be the first use of the Bullsbrook centre for quarantine since it was built during the COVID-19 pandemic. Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas raised questions about passenger care if they become ill and noted the government had recently considered converting the facility into a prison.
