Outbreak on MV Hondius Leads to Quarantine for American Passengers

Jake Rosmarin was excited as he stepped aboard the MV Hondius, sharing on social media that this ship would be his home for the next 35 days, traversing the South Atlantic. However, his adventure took a serious turn as he now finds himself among 18 Americans being monitored at specialized healthcare facilities. This follows a hantavirus outbreak on the ship that has resulted in three fatalities and several illnesses.

At 30 years old, Rosmarin anticipates spending 42 days at the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. He’s not alone; 14 fellow American passengers are being monitored there, with one individual who tested positive placed in the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit. Others are under observation at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.

Health officials have reassured the public that the chance of the virus spreading to the general population is low, emphasizing that healthy individuals are quarantined merely as a precaution.

Rosmarin, a Boston-based content creator and photographer, intends to make the isolation as bearable as possible. His room resembles a cozy hotel suite—complete with a closet, smart TV, and even a stationary bike. While he has windows, he has drawn the blinds to shield himself from the media’s gaze.

“It’s a really nice space,” he remarked. “I’ve ordered a mattress pad and new pillows. My plan is just to take it day by day; that’s really the best approach for now.”

On Tuesday, he shared a delightful surprise via social media. Nurses from the facility had brought him an iced horchata, and he couldn’t contain his joy, declaring, “This is exactly what I needed right now. Wow!”

Understanding the Quarantine Context

Hantavirus generally spreads through rodent droppings and isn’t easily passed between humans. However, the Andes virus, identified in this outbreak, might pose a rare risk for human-to-human transmission. Symptoms can appear anytime between one to eight weeks after exposure.

“I’ve been lucky; I never got sick,” Rosmarin noted on Tuesday. Out of the passengers, eleven individuals fell ill, with nine confirmed cases. Tragically, three people lost their lives, including a Dutch couple believed to be among the first exposed during their visit to South America.

The last passengers disembarked on Monday, boarding flights to over 20 countries for quarantine. The quarantine and biocontainment units in Omaha are designed specifically to monitor those exposed to serious diseases.

Outside medical staff, who don protective gear when entering his room, Rosmarin isn’t allowed visitors. Most nurses leave meals at the door, maintaining a safe distance for everyone’s protection. “I open the door with a mask on; they simply place the food on a tray for me to grab,” he explained.

With illness spreading on board, passengers were advised to remain in their cabins as much as possible. Rosmarin mentioned, “I would step outside for about 15 minutes daily just to refill my water, get some fresh air, or pick up breakfast and lunch.” Careful measures like social distancing and wearing masks were adhered to by everyone.

Wildlife Encounters Amidst Precautions

Rosmarin began his travels around the world in 2022 after leaving his job as a media buyer, taking on an influencer partnership with the ship’s operator, which funded his trip. Part of his adventure included visiting remote locations in the South Atlantic, like South Georgia Island.

“We encountered a king penguin colony—the largest globally, with estimates around 300,000 to 500,000,” he recounted. “We also saw gentoo penguins, fur seals, elephant seals, chinstrap penguins, and albatross.”

He described the MV Hondius as an expedition vessel, contrasting it with typical cruise ships. Given the nature of their stops, particularly on islands with delicate ecosystems, strict biosecurity measures were enforced. “An expedition vessel is significantly cleaner than most cruise ships you encounter,” he added.

Ironically, the precautions were aimed to protect the environment from passengers rather than the other way around. What was initially planned as a five-week trip extended to six as he remained onboard after the outbreak was identified. “We didn’t realize we were dealing with hantavirus until the evening we were supposed to disembark,” Rosmarin mentioned.

Meanwhile, back home in Boston, his fiancée is awaiting his return. The couple is planning to marry next year. “I think he tried to remain calm for me, but I know he was also a bit scared,” Rosmarin reflected on Tuesday.