THE HAGUE, May 7: More than two dozen passengers from at least 12 countries have left the cruise ship MV Hondius after a deadly hantavirus outbreak, raising global concern over possible spread through international travel. The disembarkations occurred on April 24, nearly two weeks after the first passenger death on board, according to the ship operator and Dutch authorities.
The outbreak has so far resulted in at least three confirmed deaths and several infections. The first victim, a Dutch passenger, died on April 11, and his wife also later fell ill and died after leaving the ship at Saint Helena. A third fatality, a German woman, died on May 2 while still on board.
Authorities confirmed that the first lab-confirmed infection linked to the ship was recorded on May 2, when a British passenger was evacuated and later tested positive in South Africa, where he remains in intensive care. At least five passengers have tested positive for the Andes strain of hantavirus, which can cause severe and often fatal hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
The situation has triggered extensive international contact tracing, as passengers who disembarked at Saint Helena travelled to at least 12 countries across multiple continents. Health authorities in Singapore, the UK, and Switzerland are monitoring or isolating individuals who were onboard or in contact with passengers. Some are being tested after showing symptoms, while others are under precautionary quarantine.
The Dutch health ministry also reported a suspected secondary case involving a flight crew member in Amsterdam who had contact with an infected passenger, though confirmation is pending.
Despite the alarm, the World Health Organization and experts emphasize that hantavirus is not easily transmitted between people in most cases. Infection typically occurs through exposure to rodent droppings. However, the Andes strain found in South America is unusual because it can spread between humans in limited circumstances.
The ship, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, is now sailing toward Spain’s Canary Islands with over 140 passengers and crew still aboard. Investigations are focusing on South America as the likely origin, as the vessel departed from Argentina, where hantavirus cases are more common. Global health authorities continue monitoring the situation closely while tracing contacts worldwide. (AP)
