Hantavirus cruise passengers land in Perth to begin quarantine
The first flight carrying passengers from the hantavirus-hit cruise ship has landed at an air force base near Perth. Six people will begin quarantine under health authority supervision.
The first repatriation flight carrying passengers from the hantavirus-hit MV Hondius cruise ship has landed at Pearce Air Force Base near Perth. Six passengers were taken into a dedicated quarantine area under the supervision of federal health teams. The process is expected to last approximately six weeks.
The Western Australian chief health officer said the passengers had so far shown no symptoms but would remain under close observation. The travellers had set off from southern Argentina and were evacuated via a humanitarian corridor through Tahiti. Medical teams will carry out regular testing and clinical checks throughout the isolation window.
The federal Department of Health announced that a separate flight was being arranged for New Zealand nationals, who will quarantine in their home country. The outbreak has pushed cruise operators to review their biosecurity protocols. Australia has also temporarily reinforced screening at entry ports as a precautionary public health measure.
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