WA Health is providing support to the national response to the repatriation of Australians following an outbreak of Hantavirus onboard MV Hondius vessel.
The Australian Government has advised that the returning Australians and one New Zealander will arrive in Perth at RAAF Pearce Air Base. The timing of this flight is not yet confirmed.
These returning travellers will then be transported securely to quarantine at Bullsbrook National Resilience Centre where they will isolate.
The Australian Government will seek further advice from the Australian Health Protection Committee (AHPC) regarding any further quarantine arrangements.
The Australian Government has confirmed that none of the passengers being repatriated to Australia are displaying symptoms of the virus.
In order to support the safe return of these travellers, they will be escorted by appropriate personnel wearing personal protective equipment.
Western Australia’s Chief Health Officer Dr Clare Huppatz reassured the community that this rare illness presents no risk to them, given the quarantine provisions.
“WA Health will continue to monitor the situation and provide appropriate support and public health advice,” Dr Huppatz said.
“This is a very rare disease, with human-to-human transmission rarer still.”
The Australian Government has stood up the Bullsbrook National Resilience Centre which includes onsite medical facilities.
Hantavirus is spread by inhalation of contaminated rodent droppings and is not easily transmitted between people.
For more information see the Australian Centre for Disease Control website: Hantavirus infection reported on cruise ship in Atlantic | Australian Centre for Disease Control
(ENDS)
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