A Netherlands-based cruise ship, MV Hondius, was reportedly hit by a suspected wave of hantavirus, leaving three dead and another three ill on Sunday. Hantavirus is a rodent-based virus that can cause fatal respiratory illness.
Oceanwide Expeditions, based in Netherlands, issued a news release stating it was “managing a serious medical situation” on a polar expedition ship which was off Cape Verde, a country in the Atlantic west of Africa.
According to media reports, MV Hondius departed from Argentina three weeks ago with 150 passengers and had stopped in the Antarctic and other locations on its way to Cape Verde.
A spokesperson of the Dutch Foreign Ministry confirmed the death of two Dutch passengers.
In an X post, The World Health Organisation (WHO) shared that one of the sick passengers was in intensive care in South Africa. Quoting South Africa’s Department of Health, Sky News reported the nationality of the passenger as British.
WHO said it was investigating the outbreak and lab tests had confirmed one of the six passengers had the virus.
According to Oceanwide Expeditions, Cape Verde authorities did not give permission for passengers requiring medical care to land and Dutch authorities were looking to return two symptomatic passengers along with the body of a deceased passenger.
Hantavirus is typically spread when droppings and urine of rodents become airborne. WHO said the virus can be spread between people in rare cases, beginning with flu-like symptoms and leading to heart and lung failure. There is a 40% mortality rate according to the US Centers for Disease Control. Currently, no specific drugs are available and treatment focuses onsupportive care such as putting patients on ventilators in severe cases.
The WHO said, “WHO is facilitating coordination between member states and the ship’s operators for medical evacuation of two symptomatic passengers, as well as full public health risk assessment and support to the remaining passengers on board.”
The British Foreign Office and South Africa’s Department of Health are yet to respond to the matter.
