Kamal Ghorui
Hantavirus outbreak kills 3 on Atlantic cruise ship
An American travel blogger has described panic and uncertainty aboard a luxury cruise ship struck by a suspected hantavirus outbreak in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Cape Verde, which has killed three passengers and left dozens stranded at sea.The incident unfolded on the Dutch-flagged expedition vessel MV Hondius, which had departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on March 20 for a long voyage across the South Atlantic, including Antarctica-bound routes.The ship, carrying nearly 150 passengers and crew, is now anchored off Cape Verde after being denied permission to dock due to public health concerns.A US travel blogger onboard described the situation as “very real and deeply uncertain,” as passengers grapple with fear, isolation, and delayed medical evacuations.
‘We are not just headlines’: Emotional appeal from onboard passenger
American travel influencer Jake Rosmarin, who has over 48,000 followers on Instagram, shared a tearful video from the ship, saying passengers were struggling with anxiety and uncertainty.“We’re not just headlines… we’re people with families, with lives, with people waiting for us at home,” he said, urging viewers to remember the human toll behind the breaking news. “All we want right now is to feel safe. To have clarity, and to get home,” he added.He added that the hardest part was “not knowing what comes next” as passengers awaited evacuation and medical clarity.
What is hantavirus?
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially severe viral infection primarily associated with rodents such as rats and mice.According to global health authorities like the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), humans typically contract the virus through exposure to infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva.In rare cases, limited human-to-human transmission has been reported, but this is uncommon.Symptoms of hantavirusThe illness can begin suddenly and often initially resembles the flu. Early symptoms include high fever and chills, severe muscle aches, headaches, and fatigue. Some patients may also experience abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting.As the disease progresses, it can become life-threatening, particularly when it affects the lungs or kidneys.
How does hantavirus spread?
Hantavirus is mainly transmitted when humans inhale particles contaminated by rodent waste.Key modes of spread include:
- Direct contact with rodents
- Breathing in dust contaminated with urine or droppings
- Touching contaminated surfaces followed by contact with the mouth, nose, or eyes
Health experts stress that person-to-person transmission is extremely rare, though still under investigation in unusual outbreaks.
What happened on MV Hondius?
The outbreak began during a long expedition voyage from Argentina toward the Atlantic and Antarctic regions. So far, three passengers have died, including a Dutch couple and a German national, while one British passenger remains in critical condition in intensive care in South Africa.At least one confirmed case of hantavirus has been identified, while several others remain under investigationSymptoms among victims reportedly included fever, headaches, abdominal pain, and rapid deterioration in health.Authorities are still investigating whether the infection originated onboard or was contracted earlier during land stops in South America.
Passengers stranded as port access denied
The ship has been refused entry by Cape Verdean authorities, citing public health risks. As a result, it remains anchored offshore with passengers and crew unable to disembark.Health teams have been deployed for onboard assessments, while evacuation plans are being coordinated with multiple countries, including the Netherlands and the UK.Officials are also considering rerouting the vessel to Spanish ports such as Tenerife or Las Palmas for further medical handling.The cruise operator has said that the exact cause of the outbreak is still unconfirmed and under active investigation. International health agencies are conducting laboratory testing and contact tracing.The World Health Organization has stated that the overall public risk remains low, while emphasizing that the situation requires careful monitoring and containment measures.Health authorities have reassured that while the situation onboard is serious, there is no immediate risk to the general public.Investigators are now focusing on possible exposure sources, including rodent presence on the ship or earlier infection during stops in South America.
