‘Difficult’ mission to repatriate Australian hantavirus cruise passengers en route to long Perth quarantine
Summary
Six Australians and New Zealanders exposed to hantavirus on a cruise ship are being flown back to Australia and will quarantine for 42 days near Perth. They will spend the first three weeks in a special quarantine center, along with the flight crew, as a strong safety measure to prevent virus spread.Key Facts
- Six people from Australia and New Zealand exposed to hantavirus are being repatriated from the cruise ship MV Hondius.
- They are stopping for up to two days in the Netherlands before continuing to Australia.
- Upon arrival, they will quarantine at the Bullsbrook national resilience centre near Perth for 42 days, with the first three weeks in the facility.
- The flight crew returning them will also quarantine at Bullsbrook.
- No passengers are showing hantavirus symptoms yet.
- Medical staff will be on the flight, which will land at RAAF Base Pearce.
- The incubation period for hantavirus is long, requiring extended quarantine to monitor for symptoms.
- Australia’s quarantine plan is stricter than other countries, requiring longer centralized isolation rather than home quarantine.
- Twenty-five crew remain on the ship, along with the body of a German passenger who died on May 2.
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