Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship
CAPE TOWN, South Africa — A serious hantavirus outbreak has occurred on a cruise ship that traveled from Argentina to Antarctica, then across the Atlantic, as both passengers and crew fell ill, based on information from the cruise operator and the World Health Organization (WHO).
A significant time elapsed between the illness and death of an elderly Dutch man in the South Atlantic and the confirmation of hantavirus infections in South Africa, over 3,500 kilometers away.
Sadly, three passengers have died. One is currently in intensive care in a hospital in South Africa, and three others were evacuated from the ship. Additionally, another individual who left the ship earlier tested positive for the virus in Switzerland.
As the MV Hondius departed Cape Verde for the Canary Islands, more than 140 people remained on board.
Tests confirmed that the hantavirus strain identified was the Andes virus, typically found in South America.
The hantavirus primarily spreads through contact with contaminated rodent droppings, and while there is a potential for person-to-person transmission, it’s rare. WHO experts noted that the risk to the general public remains low.
With confirmed infections rising to five, health officials across three continents are working to trace contacts of those who left the ship.
Details of the Incident
Oceanwide Expeditions, the Dutch company behind the MV Hondius, specializes in “expedition cruises” to more remote locations like Antarctica and surrounding islands.
The voyages can stretch for a month or more, costing between $6,000 and $25,000, depending on cabin selection.
The journey began on April 1. On April 6, the 70-year-old Dutch man reported symptoms like fever and diarrhea, and he passed away on April 11 after showing respiratory distress. The ship was navigating between South Georgia and St. Helena at that time, and the cause of death was undetermined.
Following the death, the ship continued its journey, eventually docking at St. Helena, where the man’s body was removed on April 24 along with his wife, who was unwell. Unfortunately, she worsened during a flight to South Africa and died at a hospital the following day.
The man who later tested positive in Switzerland had also disembarked at St. Helena, but his subsequent whereabouts are unclear.
Another passenger, a British man, developed severe symptoms after the ship left St. Helena, leading to his evacuation to South Africa on April 27, and he is now in intensive care.
The third death involved a German woman, who fell ill and passed away on the ship a few days later as it headed towards Cape Verde.
Initial Recognition of the Outbreak
Health officials identified hantavirus in a patient in South Africa after other tests yielded negative results. The positive confirmation came 21 days following the first death.
The WHO announced an investigation into the suspected outbreak once the ship reached Cape Verde waters. Following the positive test of the British man, further testing confirmed hantavirus in the deceased Dutch woman.
Tracing contacts has begun for those who were in proximity to the infected individuals.
Current Situation for Those Onboard
After waiting off the coast of Cape Verde, the ship has made its way to the Canary Islands, where Spain has agreed to accept it. The passengers and crew consist of individuals from multiple nations, including the UK, the US, Spain, and Germany.
In light of the situation, all onboard have been placed in cabin isolation with guidelines for physical distancing, reminiscent of the protocols seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Investigating the Source
WHO is currently looking into how this relatively rare virus came to be on the cruise ship. Investigators from Argentina suspect that the Dutch couple may have contracted the virus during a bird-watching trip in Ushuaia before boarding.
