Passengers aboard the cruise ship where three fatalities occurred are expressing their fears as the vessel remains anchored off Cape Verde, with investigations ongoing into a suspected hantavirus outbreak.
One passenger shared, “I’m currently on the M/V Hondius and this is very real for us. We’re not just headlines; we have families and lives waiting for us back home.” There’s a sense of uncertainty that feels unbearable. “What we really want is to feel safe, to have some clarity, and, most importantly, to go home. So, for those of you following this story, please remember that behind the coverage, there are actual people going through this right now.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Sunday that one case of hantavirus infection has been confirmed, with five others still under investigation. Sadly, three out of the six people affected have lost their lives, and one person is currently in intensive care in South Africa.
The M/V Hondius is still off the coast of Cape Verde while authorities determine if there’s a connection among the illness cases and when those needing medical attention can leave the ship.
Oceanwide Expeditions, the ship’s operator, published a timeline on Monday documenting the sequence of events over several weeks. They noted that a Dutch passenger died on April 11, but the cause of death wasn’t established at that moment. This individual disembarked at St. Helena Island on April 24.
The cruise line stated that the passenger’s spouse, also a Dutch citizen, fell ill during the return trip and later also passed away. Whether these deaths relate to the ongoing situation remains unconfirmed. Additionally, another passenger became gravely ill on April 27, was treated, and evacuated to South Africa, where they still remain in intensive care, diagnosed with a variant of the hantavirus.
Another passenger, a German citizen, died on May 2, with the cause yet to be determined.
The cruise line mentioned that two crew members, one from Britain and the other from the Netherlands, are experiencing acute respiratory symptoms and need urgent medical care.
Currently, there are no confirmed hantavirus cases among the two individuals needing medical treatment, and authorities have not linked this virus to the three deaths thus far.
At present, the ship is carrying 149 passengers from over 20 different countries. They remain at sea, as the local health authorities must approve any medical evacuations or disembarkations.
The cruise line is in collaboration with local and global agencies, including the WHO, to facilitate potential repatriation of medical staff and decide on the next course of action. One option on the table is to sail the ship to Las Palmas or Tenerife for disembarkation and additional medical evaluations.
“We have implemented strict safety measures on board, including quarantine protocols, hygiene standards, and constant medical supervision,” the company stated. “All passengers are being informed and supported.” They further emphasized their commitment to being in close touch with affected parties and their families, working to provide assistance as needed.
