CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) – A Dutch cruise ship named the MV Hondius, carrying nearly 150 people, is currently stranded off the coast of Cape Verde following a suspected outbreak of hantavirus. As of Monday, three passengers have died, and at least three others are seriously ill, prompting concerns from health officials.
The vessel was on an extended polar cruise from Argentina to Antarctica when it sought assistance from local health authorities after reaching the island of Cape Verde. However, the boat has been ordered to remain in open waters without allowing anyone to disembark due to public health concerns, as stated by Cape Verde's Health Ministry.
Hantavirus is a rodent-borne disease that spreads through contact with infected rodents or their excretions. Although it is rare, it is acknowledged by the World Health Organization (WHO) that transmission can occur between individuals. The investigation into the source of the outbreak is ongoing, with WHO coordinating efforts to evacuate two seriously ill crew members.
One of the deceased passengers, a German individual, remains on the ship. Another victim, a 70-year-old Dutch man, died on April 11, followed shortly by his wife, who passed away in South Africa. Subsequent testing revealed her blood was positive for hantavirus, marking two confirmed cases. Among the remaining 87 passengers are 17 Americans, 19 British, and 13 Spanish nationals, alongside a crew of 61 members.
Oceanwide Expeditions, the cruise operator, reported that two crew members—one British and one Dutch—exhibit respiratory symptoms and urgently require medical attention. Cape Verde has dispatched a medical team, including doctors and a nurse, to the ship for assistance. WHO officials indicate plans for medical evacuations, with sick individuals transferred via ambulance to an airport.
Dr. Ann Lindstrand, a WHO representative, emphasized the delicate balance Cape Verdean authorities maintain between public health and the protection of the local population. Oceanwide has considered relocating the ship to a Spanish island if evacuation in Cape Verde proves infeasible.
The cruise originated from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1. Health officials confirmed that no passengers had shown hantavirus symptoms prior to departure. However, because symptoms can manifest up to eight weeks post-exposure, there is concern that passengers may have contracted the virus before boarding or en route.
Although hantavirus outbreaks have historically been rare in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, a serious outbreak in 2019 resulted in multiple fatalities. South African authorities have begun contact tracing to identify individuals exposed to infected passengers while urging the public not to panic. They assured that preventative measures are being coordinated on an international scale to mitigate further spread of the disease.
Health experts affirm that while hantavirus can lead to severe cases, it does not easily transmit between persons. WHO officials reassured that the risk to the general public remains low and emphasized the importance of early medical care to enhance survival chances.
The initial victim displayed symptoms including fever, headache, and abdominal pain. His body was transported to Saint Helena for repatriation. The deceased woman had collapsed while attempting to catch a flight from Johannesburg back to the Netherlands. Authorities are intensively investigating the outbreak's origins, with health management efforts ongoing.
