Camille Naredo

A general view of the cruise ship MV Hondius stationary off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on May 5, 2026. AFP

A general view of the cruise ship MV Hondius stationary off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on May 5, 2026. The WHO said on May 5, 2026 that Spain would "welcome" a cruise ship anchored off Cape Verde with suspected hantavirus cases onboard, enabling a probe and assessment of the risk to the remaining passengers. 
WHO epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention director Maria Van Kerkhove told reporters the ship would head for the Canary islands. (Photo by AFP)

Article (news)

MV Hondius

Carlos Trazo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1778425060194AFP__20260505__A9V68MX__v2__HighRes__TopshotCapeVerdeHealthTourism.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="A general view of the cruise ship MV Hondius stationary off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on May 5, 2026. AFP" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A general view of the cruise ship MV Hondius stationary off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on May 5, 2026. <em>AFP</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed that 38 Filipino seafarers onboard the cruise ship M/V Hondius will undergo quarantine in Rotterdam before their eventual repatriation to the Philippines.  </p><p>The ship, currently anchored at Tenerife Port in the Canary Islands, has begun disembarking crew members, with four flown to the Netherlands on Sunday and 20 more scheduled tomorrow. The remaining 14, composed of deck and engine crew, will sail with the vessel to Rotterdam. </p><p>DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac assured that the seafarers’ contracts remain active and they will continue to receive salary entitlements during the quarantine period. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/5/10/evacuation-of-hantavirus-hit-ship-begins-in-canary-islands-1947">READ: Hantavirus ship evacuees begin returning home</a></div><p>“Upon arrival in the Netherlands, we expect that there will be a repatriation flight… 24 of the 38 seafarers will be flown to the Netherlands, while 14 will sail to Rotterdam,” he said. “We will work closely with the DFA to monitor their situation to ensure the safety and welfare of the seafarers as directed by the President.” </p><p>Health Secretary Ted Herbosa explained that the quarantine protocol is set at 42 days, with testing in Rotterdam before the seafarers are cleared to return home. </p><p>“Hantavirus is not common, never in the Philippines,” Herbosa said, noting that the Andes variant found in Latin America can spread through close human contact, while the African variant requires exposure to rodent feces or urine. </p><p>“If they don’t exhibit symptoms during the quarantine period, they can safely come home,” he added. </p><p>DMW emphasized that all expenses in the Netherlands will be shouldered by the ship owner, while they will be on standby to continue to support the needs of the seafarers and their families.</p><p>The hantavirus outbreak on MV Hondius has sparked international alarm.</p><p>Three passengers -- a Dutch husband and wife and a German woman -- have died, while others have fallen sick with the rare disease, which usually spreads among rodents.</p><p>No vaccines or specific treatments exist for hantavirus, which is endemic in Argentina, where the ship departed in April.</p><p>But health officials assured that the risk for global public health is low and played down comparisons to the Covid-19 pandemic. -- <strong>with a report from Agence France-Presse</strong></p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/5/9/who-chief-says-hantavirus-not-another-covid-pandemic-2109">READ: WHO chief says hantavirus &#x27;not another COVID&#x27; pandemic</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JCUuvGL6-TY?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed that 38 Filipino seafarers onboard the polar expedition vessel M/V Hondius will undergo quarantine in Rotterdam before their eventual repatriation to the Philippines. </p>

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed that 38 Filipino seafarers onboard the polar expedition vessel M/V Hondius will undergo quarantine in Rotterdam before their eventual repatriation to the Philippines.

Filipino seafarers on hantavirus-hit ship to face 42-day quarantine before repatriation to PH

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Filipino seafarers on hantavirus-hit ship to face 42-day quarantine before repatriation to PH

Carlos Trazo,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 10, 2026 11:04 PM PHT

|

Updated May 11, 2026 01:12 AM PHT

Read More:

Filipino seafarers

MV Hondius

hantavirus

repatriation

Rotterdam

quarantine

Department of Migrant Workers

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