Cruise Ship Outbreak and Passenger Death
Passengers aboard a cruise ship are currently stranded at sea after three individuals lost their lives and a British man is fighting for his life following an outbreak of a rat-borne virus. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed six suspected cases of hantavirus infection on the MV Hondius, which was traveling from Ushuaia in Argentina to Cape Verde in Africa.
The first fatality was a 70-year-old passenger, followed by his 69-year-old wife, both of whom were Dutch nationals. A 69-year-old British man was transported to Johannesburg, South Africa, where he is receiving intensive care. The body of the third person who died was still onboard the ship as of last night.
The WHO stated that it was aware of cases of severe acute respiratory illness on a cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic. It confirmed that three passengers had died onboard, with the British man being identified as a victim of hantavirus infection. The organisation is currently investigating six suspected cases in total.
Passenger Accounts and Restrictions
Passengers have shared their experiences of being trapped on the ship after being instructed to remain onboard while awaiting approval to disembark. A letter sent to customers by Oceanwide Expeditions, seen by the Daily Mail, informed them that they were “awaiting approval” for passengers to leave the ship.
The letter said: “As you are aware, we are responding to several cases of an unidentified virus. We regret to share that, overnight, a guest presenting severe symptoms has passed away. We are currently anchored offshore of Cape Verde and awaiting approval from the Cape Verde authorities to disembark, with priority given to those who require immediate medical care. At this stage, we do not have authorisation from the Cape Verde authorities to disembark.”
The letter also advised all passengers to follow best practices, wear face masks, maintain distancing, and minimize contact with fellow guests. It added that the company was applying pressure through all available channels, including at the diplomatic level, to provide urgent care to individuals with severe symptoms and ensure all guests could be properly supported within an adequate health screening process.
One passenger, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Daily Mail: “We have not heard from Oceanwide at all. We still have friends on the ship.”
Last year, prices for a full trip on the vessel ranged from €12,500 for a bed in a shared cabin with other passengers to €40,000 for the most luxurious private cabin.
Voyage Route and Geographic Context of the Outbreak
A map shows the ship’s route starting at Ushuaia and passing by South Georgia and St Helena before reaching its final destination at Cape Verde. Hantaviruses, a family of viruses, are spread by rodents, primarily through contact with their urine, droppings, and saliva. They are not usually transmitted from person to person and are typically transferred via bodily fluids and close contact.
As of last night, the WHO had confirmed one case of hantavirus infection and was investigating five additional suspected cases. A spokesman said: “Of the six affected individuals, three have died and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa. Investigations and a coordinated international public health response is underway. We will share more information as it becomes available.”
Laboratory testing and epidemiological investigations are now taking place, with medical care and support provided to passengers and crew. The WHO confirmed that “sequencing of the virus” – to understand transmission and mutations – is also ongoing.
Ongoing Decisions Over Medical Isolation and Treatment
Speaking anonymously yesterday, a source close to the case mentioned that discussions were taking place to decide whether two sick passengers should be placed in isolation in a hospital in Cape Verde. They said the ship would then continue to the Canary Islands. The vessel is currently 1,000 miles away from the Spanish archipelago.
South Africa’s department of health confirmed a British tourist is being treated in a private health facility in Sandton, Johannesburg, adding that his laboratory test results had come back positive for a hantavirus infection. Speaking on social media, a Turkish passenger on the ship said his “Irish friend” was receiving treatment in South Africa but that, fortunately, his condition was “improving.”
He wrote: “Normally, human-to-human transmission is not common. However, we are in a very complicated situation. Please keep us in your thoughts. We will complete this ocean crossing. Since we are not allowed to go ashore in Cape Verde, most likely we will head to the Canary Islands. We hope to be in good condition there.”
Symptoms and Fatalities Linked to Hantavirus Cases
The South African Department of Health said the Dutch male passenger suffered fever, headache, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, and died in St Helena while his wife was taken to hospital in Kempton Park, near Johannesburg, after collapsing at an airport.
According to several online ship-tracking sites, the MV Hondius was yesterday just off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde. The vessel can accommodate around 170 passengers and has some 70 crew members.
The Foreign Office told the Daily Mail: “We are closely monitoring reports of a potential hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship Hondius and stand ready to support British nationals if needed. We are in touch with the cruise company and local authorities.”
Hantaviruses are known to cause a range of diseases in humans, ranging from mild, flu-like illness to severe respiratory illness or haemorrhagic disease. Early symptoms can include fatigue, fever, muscle aches, and intense headaches.
The risk of contracting the illness can be reduced through minimizing contact with rodents. Oceanwide Expeditions has been contacted for comment.
