Australian authorities have extended the quarantine period for six cruise ship passengers in Western Australia following fresh hantavirus cases linked to the same voyage, raising concerns over possible delayed infections.
The six individuals, including four Australian citizens, one permanent resident, and one New Zealand national, have remained in quarantine at a national health facility near Perth since May 15.
Health Minister Mark Butler announced that authorities extended their isolation until June 23 to cover the virus’s full 42-day incubation period.
Officials made the decision after authorities overseas confirmed two additional hantavirus cases connected to the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius.
The latest cases involved a crew member and a passenger, taking the total number of linked infections to 13.
Although all six quarantined individuals in Australia tested negative and showed no symptoms, authorities extended the quarantine following WHO advice over possible delayed symptoms.
Hantavirus is a rare disease usually spread through infected rodents, while human-to-human transmission remains uncommon.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed that the outbreak-linked cases had risen to 13, while the death toll remained unchanged at three.
The World Health Organisation has maintained that the overall risk to the public remains low.
The agency recommended that all evacuated passengers from the vessel undergo active monitoring for 42 days from their last possible exposure, either at home or in designated quarantine facilities.
Authorities continue to closely monitor the situation while coordinating with governments and health agencies involved in the response to the outbreak.
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