New plan for Hantavirus cruise ship passengers bound for Bullsbrook quarantine facility as plane delayed

There are reports that there is a new plan in place for the five Australian passengers evacuated from a cruise ship hit with a deadly outbreak of Hantavirus who are set to arrive in Perth this week.

According to 7News, the plane that was sent to carry the five Australian passengers to Perth who are being monitored for symptoms of the rat virus and are set to quarantine here didn’t arrive on time.

It’s understood the Australian Federal Government was having issues getting an aircraft to Tenerife airport in the Canary Islands, where the cruise ship remains.

Spanish authorities have said the Aussies will go to the Netherlands instead, and continue their journey to Australia within 48 hours.

It’s understood the delay has been caused due to the distance of the flight and the operational requirement to refuel, so the passengers are now expected in Perth later this week.

When the Aussies — and one New Zealand national — touch down at Perth’s RAAF base in Pearce, they will then be transferred to the Bullsbrook quarantine facility — called the National Resilience Centre — to isolate for the first three weeks of their 42-day quarantine period.

None of the passengers are displaying symptoms of the virus according to Federal Health Minister Mark Butler, who announced the quarantine plan on Monday afternoon.

“The Commonwealth has consulted with Western Australia, which was always going to be the first port of entry by this repatriation flight, and also with New South Wales and Queensland, directly given that the Australians are all residents of those two states,” he said.

“The AHPC, the (Australian) Health Protection Committee, has been consulted on those arrangements, as well as I set up a meeting this afternoon.

“This period of three weeks quarantine will obviously only cover part of the 42-day quarantine period, or potential incubation period that is understood to be relevant to this particular virus.

“As we move into that three week period, we’ll be seeking further advice from the Chief Health Officers through the AHPC about what arrangement should take place beyond that initial three weeks.”

The $400 million Bullsbrook quarantine facility was built during the COVID pandemic and completed in 2022 but never used, it has sat empty ever since.

AMA WA President Kyle Hoath said now was not the time to panic, but said it served as a reminder to stay home if you are sick.

“There’s no need for public concern around the Hantavirus at this stage,” he said.