38 Filipinos from hantavirus-hit MV Hondius back in PH

The 38 Filipino crew members of MV Hondius, where hantavirus cases were previously reported, have returned to the Philippines after finishing their quarantine, Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac announced on Saturday.

“Our 38 MV Hondius Filseafarers arrived home safely last night from quarantine in the Netherlands, ably assisted by DOH-DMW-OWWA-DOTr-BI teams as directed by President Bongbong Marcos," Cacdac said in a social media post.

The 38 Filipino crew members also previously tested negative for the virus before undergoing quarantine.

Meanwhile, Cacdac said that the seafarers will still get their salary from their contract.

"They will continue to receive their wages for the unexpired portions of their contracts and will still be safely employed by their shipowner,” Cacdac said.

Hantavirus is typically transmitted from rodents to humans. However, the WHO noted there were no reported sightings of rats aboard the ship, raising the possibility of rare human-to-human transmission.

Health experts say such transmission may occur through close and prolonged contact, particularly involving the Andes strain of hantavirus, which is found in parts of Latin America.

This region includes areas visited by the cruise ship and the Dutch couple before boarding. —VAL, GMA News