Nations across the globe are engaged in a urgent race against time, meticulously tracing dozens of individuals who disembarked from the MV Hondius cruise ship before a hantavirus outbreak was detected, along with anyone who has since had close contact with them.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed six cases of hantavirus following the outbreak on the MV Hondius. Tragically, one person has died, while two other fatalities are still awaiting confirmation regarding their connection to the virus. Despite the grim news, the WHO has stated that this outbreak does not signal the beginning of a pandemic akin to COVID-19, primarily because the Andes strain of hantavirus spreads through “close and intimate contact.” However, given the disease’s potential incubation period of up to six weeks, the WHO cautions that more cases could still be reported.
Oceanwide Expeditions, the operator of the luxury cruise liner MV Hondius, confirmed that the vessel carried 178 passengers and crew members representing 28 different nationalities. A significant moment in the cruise’s timeline saw 32 guests disembark at St Helena Island on April 24th. The ship had commenced its voyage on April 1st from Ushuaia, Argentina, and was originally scheduled to arrive in Spain’s Canary Islands by May 10th. Oceanwide Expeditions has since released a comprehensive list detailing when and where both crew and guests disembarked at various ports of call.
Typically, hantavirus is transmitted from rodents to humans, with infection occurring when individuals inhale air contaminated with viral particles from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. What makes this outbreak particularly concerning is the rare human-to-human transmission facilitated by the Andes strain of the virus. The WHO reported on Thursday (May 7th) that this represents the first known instance of such a viral transmission occurring within a vessel, highlighting the unique challenges of the situation.
In response to the unfolding crisis, the WHO is actively communicating with officials from at least 12 nations, collaborating to monitor their citizens who were either on board the MV Hondius or have since returned to their home countries. These nations include Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. While one expert informed the BBC that the response to this outbreak has been “very messy and uncoordinated,” they also reassured that the general risk to the wider public remains low. Below is a summary of the known impacts on affected countries so far:
United Kingdom
Three UK nationals are suspected of being infected with hantavirus. Seven UK citizens had disembarked from the MV Hondius at St Helena on April 24th, notably before the first hantavirus case was confirmed on May 4th. Four other UK nationals remained on board the vessel. One patient, a crew member, was located on Tristan da Cunha Island, where the ship made a stop on April 13th.
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Two additional UK men have since been confirmed with the virus. One of them, 56-year-old retired police officer Martin Anstee, is in a stable condition in the Netherlands after being evacuated from the ship on Wednesday (May 6th). The other individual is currently receiving care in an intensive care unit after being airlifted to South Africa, despite not showing any symptoms. Medical personnel are being dispatched to the affected islands to provide necessary support.
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Furthermore, two other UK nationals have voluntarily self-isolated at home in the UK following potential exposure, exhibiting no symptoms. Currently, the MV Hondius has three UK crew members and 19 UK passengers still on board.
United States
Health agencies across five U.S. states are actively monitoring individuals who were on board the MV Hondius. According to CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, this includes two individuals each in Georgia and Texas, one each in Arizona and Virginia, and an unspecified number in California. Crucially, none of these individuals have exhibited symptoms, as confirmed by the U.S. Department of Health. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified this hantavirus outbreak as a “Level 3” emergency response, which is its lowest tier. In total, 17 U.S. passengers were on the ship.
Argentina
Prior to boarding the cruise on April 1st, a Dutch passenger couple reportedly engaged in birdwatching activities across Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. According to the WHO, they visited locations known to harbor rodent species that carry the Andes strain of hantavirus.
While the precise source of the outbreak remains unconfirmed, the Argentine government is currently investigating whether the infection originated within the country. One Argentine passenger remains on board the MV Hondius.
Cape Verde
The MV Hondius was denied permission to dock in Cape Verde, the archipelago located off the west coast of Africa. The vessel remained offshore for several days before eventually setting sail for the Canary Islands on Wednesday (May 6th).
France
The French Ministry of Health has reported identifying eight French citizens who had contact with the Dutch woman who tragically died from hantavirus while on a flight from Saint Helena to Johannesburg. One of these individuals displayed mild symptoms, and testing results are still pending, as stated by the ministry on Thursday (May 7th). The remaining French citizens were offered isolation measures and testing. Five French nationals, who were passengers on the MV Hondius, are currently still on board the vessel.
Germany
Among the fatalities is a German passenger. The WHO reported that this woman initially developed a fever on April 28th and subsequently presented with symptoms of pneumonia. Currently, five German guests and one German crew member remain on board the MV Hondius.
Netherlands
Thirteen individuals on board the MV Hondius are Dutch nationals, comprising eight passengers and five crew members. Among the three deaths reported so far, two were a Dutch married couple. The wife tested positive for hantavirus and passed away in South Africa. Another Dutch woman was hospitalized in Amsterdam after exhibiting possible hantavirus symptoms, as confirmed by the country’s health ministry on Thursday (May 7th). Dutch media outlet RTL reported that this woman was a KLM flight attendant who had been in contact with the deceased hantavirus patient in Johannesburg. However, a WHO official later informed CBS News on Friday (May 8th) that her test results for the virus came back negative.
Philippines
A substantial contingent of 38 Filipino nationals comprised the crew of the MV Hondius. Currently, no hantavirus cases have been recorded in the Philippines, with officials reiterating that the risk to the nation remains “very low.”
Spain
The MV Hondius was anticipated to dock in Tenerife, one of Spain’s Canary Islands, on Saturday (May 9th) local time. While the Spanish government approved this measure, the head of the Canary Islands’ government vehemently opposed the plan. Fernando Clavijo told Spanish radio station Onda Cero, “I cannot allow the [ship] to enter the Canary Islands. This decision is not based on any technical criteria, nor were we given sufficient information.” Upon its arrival in Tenerife, all non-Spanish nationals were to be repatriated to their respective home countries if they remained healthy. In contrast, 13 Spanish passengers and one Spanish crew member were to be quarantined in a military hospital in Madrid. Residents in Tenerife expressed their apprehension to the BBC regarding the ship’s arrival, with one local noting concerns that inhabitants “could face problems on this island.” Another resident acknowledged, “I don’t think it’s a good idea… but people do need help.” Meanwhile, on mainland Spain, a suspected hantavirus case was identified in Alicante. This case involves a woman who was a passenger on the same flight as the patient who died in Johannesburg after contracting the virus on the cruise, according to Spanish Health Minister Javier Padilla on Friday (May 8th).
Switzerland
A Swiss man who disembarked from the cruise ship in Saint Helena has tested positive for the Andes strain of hantavirus, as confirmed by both Swiss health officials and the WHO. Officials stated on Wednesday (May 6th) that the man developed symptoms and underwent testing in Zurich, where he is currently receiving treatment.
Other Countries
The crew members still on board include five Ukrainians, one Russian, one Portuguese, one Pole, one Montenegrin, two Indians, and one Guatemalan. Among the guests, there are four Australians, two Belgians, four Canadians, one Greek, two Irish, one Italian, one Japanese, one New Zealander, and three Turks.
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Summary
Nations are engaged in an urgent race to trace passengers and close contacts from the MV Hondius cruise ship following a hantavirus outbreak. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed six cases, including one fatality, noting that the Andes strain involved allows for rare human-to-human transmission, a first known instance on a vessel. Despite this, the WHO assures it is not a pandemic like COVID-19, though more cases are possible due to the virus’s potential six-week incubation period.
The MV Hondius carried 178 passengers and crew of 28 nationalities, with many disembarking at various ports since its voyage began on April 1st. The WHO is actively communicating with officials from at least 12 nations, including the UK, US, and Germany, to monitor their citizens who were on board or potentially exposed. While some aspects of the response have been criticized, the general risk of hantavirus to the wider public remains low.