In brief
- The quarantine was extended on recommendations from the World Health Organization.
- About 23 countries whose citizens were also on the cruise have put in place a number of quarantine arrangements.
A group of Australian residents and one New Zealander have had their quarantine period extended after being caught up in a deadly hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship.
Health Minister Mark Butler announced on Thursday the six people who have been in isolation at the Centre for National Resilience in Western Australia since mid-May will remain there for the full 42-day quarantine period, as recommended by Australian health officials and the World Health Organization.
"The passengers have been informed about the advice and the decision of government," Butler told reporters in Canberra.
"I'm happy to say they remain well, they've only been tested again in the last 24 or 36 hours or so and all six have again tested negative."
An order, made under the Biosecurity Act, has remained in place for three weeks and was extended ahead of its expiry date of 5 June.
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About 23 countries whose citizens were also on the cruise have put in place a number of quarantine arrangements.
Butler said there have been two additional reports of hantavirus infections linked to the ship.
A crew member from the cruise ship in the Netherlands tested positive, along with a passenger in Spain.
This confirmed the risk of transmission after disembarkation has not passed, Butler said.
Earlier in May, a cluster of cruise ship passengers were reported to have contracted severe respiratory illnesses after it departed Argentina on 1 April.
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