Hantavirus Cruise Quarantine Extended

Australian health authorities have extended the mandatory quarantine for passengers of the MV Hondius after two new cases of hantavirus were confirmed.

The extension means the isolated group will have spent a total of 42 days in a high-security facility in Western Australia.

The outbreak began earlier this month on the polar expedition vessel, prompting an emergency evacuation.

Officials stated that the additional time is necessary to ensure the virus does not spread into the general population, as the disease has a high fatality rate.