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All 6 returning passengers are well, and none have tested positive for the virus to date.
To protect both passengers and crew, strict infection prevention and control procedures were in place for the return flight, and everyone travelled in personal protective equipment.
Experts from the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre will staff the Bullsbrook centre for the duration of the passengers’ stay.
The full quarantine period will be 42 days (6 weeks) from the day the passengers disembarked the cruise ship. The passengers will spend at least the first 3 weeks of quarantine at the Bullsbrook facility – arrangements for the remainder of the quarantine period are being finalised.
During the quarantine period, staff will monitor passengers, including through daily symptom checks.
Risk to Australians
Australia has strong public health, biosecurity and surveillance systems in place to protect the community.
The current risk of hantavirus infection to people in Australia is very low.
The Andes virus – the type of hantavirus that is affecting the people who were on the cruise ship – is the only hantavirus that is known to spread from person to person. The Andes virus typically spreads through close and extended contact with an infected person, such as between people who live together.
Andes virus infection has been added as a listed human disease under the Biosecurity Act 2015. This means the Australian Government can implement measures to stop its spread, if required.
We will continue to provide updates as circumstances change.
Learn more
Read more about Andes virus infection, and see our latest situation report.