Australian passengers from deadly hantavirus cruise ship forced to remain in quarantine for three more weeks
Australian passengers who recently returned home from the deadly hantavirus-stricken MV Hondius cruise ship have been told they will be forced to remain in quarantine for another three weeks.
Australian passengers who recently returned home from the deadly hantavirus-stricken MV Hondius cruise ship have been told they will be forced to remain in quarantine for another three weeks.
Earlier this month the travellers were taken to a special facility in Western Australia’s Bullsbrook, for an initial isolation preriod of three weeks, but health officials have recommended they now remain there for the entire 42-day incubation period.
“As a result, on the basis of accepting that advice, it’s likely an order will be made to extend that quarantine period to the 23 of June,” Health Minister Mark Butler told reporters.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“The passengers have been informed about the advice and the decision of government.”
“I’m happy to say they remain well, they have only been tested again in the last 24 or 36 hours or so and all six have again tested negative, but the cases overseas and the advice not just of our public health officials but of the World Health Organisation indicate that does not mean that the risk of testing positive sometime into the future during that 42 day incubation period has completely passed.”
The five Australians and one New Zealander arrived in Perth on May 15, five weeks after the first death on board the MR Hondius.
Three people have died from the outbreak.
Originally published on The West Australian
