The 38 Filipino seafarers and workers of a cruise ship flagged over health concerns relating to hantavirus will be released from 40-day quarantine on June 18 after showing no signs of infection, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

While all the Filipino crew of the MV Hondius tested negative and showing no signs of infection, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said th quarantine will be completed as part of the health safety protocol.

He said 21 of the Filipinos first arrived in the Netherlands on May 6 for quarantine while the second batch, composed of 17 ship crew, followed on May 18, but all of them will have a quarantine completion date on June 18.

“They undergo testing everyday and they always test negative. All of them tested negative so far and there’s no report of any of them being asymptomatic,” said Cacdac who met with Dutch officials in the Netherlands to check on the condition of the Filipinos.

With such a long period of quarantine, Cacdac said they understand all the possible concerns and that’s the reason why they took the initiative of asking the Filipinos what they want during the course of their quarantine.

“Our seafarers want rice because it is not common in Europe. So, our ambassador and labor attache gave them rice,” said Cacdac.

And before going to the Netherlands, Cacdac also asked the quarantined Filipinos what they wanted as pasalubong—and as some would say, “rice is life for Filipinos but chichirya is lifer.”

“They requested chichirya, Filipino snacks, so we brought them what they requested to make them feel at home,” said Cacdac.

“Forty days of quarantine is not a joke like what some of us experienced during Covid-19 so as much as possible, we cheer them up, we make them feel like they are home, and we make them feel most of all, make them feel that they are supported by the government,” he added.

But whay comes after the June 18 release?

Cacdac said this is the part when the Department of Health will take over all the matters relating to health safety protocol.

According to the DOH, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is a serious disease that can lead to death if left untreated.

Rats transmit this disease to humans. It is spread through the urine, feces, and saliva of rats, which are often found in dirty areas.

The DOH said there are no confirmed cases of it in the Philippines and the risk of its spread is low.

Cacdac said the DOH has been coordinating with its Dutch counterparts in monitoring the progress of the quarantine and local health officials have already came up with measures.

“Rest assured that they will be ready with the protocols when they go home,” said Cacdac.

In the visit, Cacdac expressed gratitude to Dutch authorities for their swift humanitarian response, medical assistance and close coordination. 

“Dutch officials recognized the vital contribution of Filipino seafarers to global maritime operations and reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the rights, health and welfare of Filipino migrant workers,” he said.

He said the DMW delegation, accompanied by Berlin Labor Attaché Delia Palomar, also met with representatives of Oceanwide Expeditions, the shipowner, and Wagenborg, the licensed manning agency of the crew, to discuss the crew's condition and the arrangements for their return to the Philippines. 

“Oceanwide Expeditions confirmed that all 38 Filipino crew members have tested negative for Hantavirus, remained asymptomatic and are receiving proper care under close medical monitoring,” said Cacdac.

 “The company also assured that the crew members will receive full compensation during and even after the mandatory six-week quarantine period and will be repatriated once cleared by Dutch health authorities,” he added.