Two Belgian passengers on the MV Hondius, the cruise ship at the centre of the hantavirus outbreak, have been repatriated and are at UZ Antwerp hospital, the Public Health ministry has told De Ochtend.
“They arrived there without symptoms and were examined immediately,” a ministry spokesperson said. “We are now waiting for the results. We may have them this evening, or tomorrow at the latest.”
The examination was conducted by infectious disease specialists, led by virologist Erika Vlieghe. “The passengers are still doing well,” the spokesperson said. “At this moment, there are no symptoms or other signs that they have the virus.”
According to World Health Organization guidelines, there would normally be a six-week period of quarantine. However, for every day without symptoms, the chance of the virus developing decreases. The virus is only transmitted from person to person through close contact, and the risk to the general public is very low.
On Sunday, 94 of the approximately 150 passengers from the cruise ship were evacuated. A total of eight aircraft and around 400 personnel were deployed today.
Evacuations are due to resume on Monday afternoon after the ship has been refuelled. Once all evacuations are completed, the ship will set course for its home base in Rotterdam, where it will be disinfected.
At this moment, there are no symptoms or other signs that they have the virus
Three passengers on the cruise – a Dutch couple and a German woman – have died, with two of them confirmed to have had the virus. An American and a French national who have returned home have tested positive, authorities say.