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Australia extends quarantine for hantavirus-hit cruise ship passengers

By Thomson Reuters May 27, 2026 | 11:02 PM

SYDNEY, May 28 (Reuters) – Australia’s health minister said on Thursday the ​quarantine period for ‌repatriated passengers on a Dutch-flagged luxury cruise ship hit by a hantavirus outbreak will ‌be ​extended to ⁠42 days total ⁠until June 23.

Four Australian citizens, a permanent resident and one resident ​of New Zealand have been quarantined at ⁠a facility ⁠near Perth in Western ​Australia since returning on ​May 15.

They were initially due ‌to remain there until June 5 but the quarantine has been ⁠extended following advice from authorities, Health Minister Mark Butler said.

“The ⁠passengers ‌have been informed ⁠about the advice ​and ‌the decision of ​government. I’m ⁠happy to say they remain well,” Butler added.

(Reporting by Christine Chen in Sydney; Editing by Muralikumar ​Anantharaman)