A former British police officer, Martin Anstee, who was working as an expedition guide on a cruise ship marooned due to a Hantavirus outbreak, is now in a “serious condition” but stable after being medically evacuated to a hospital in the Netherlands. The virus, linked to a Dutch couple who had gone bird watching in Argentina before boarding the ship, has resulted in the deaths of three passengers. Argentine officials suspect the couple contracted the virus during a bird-watching outing in Ushuaia, where they may have been exposed to infected rodents at a landfill.
The cruise ship, carrying 19 British passengers and crew members, was en route from Argentina to Cape Verde. Eight individuals on board were potentially exposed to the virus, leading to three deaths, three serious cases, one asymptomatic person, and one confirmed case post-evacuation. Martin Anstee, along with two others, was medically evacuated from the ship to a Netherlands medical facility.
Passengers on the cruise ship had described the journey as remarkable until the outbreak occurred. A filmmaker onboard criticized the vessel’s management for not taking immediate action upon the first death related to the virus. Following the deaths and illness onboard, passengers were urged to remain in their cabins with limited activities available.
International authorities are coordinating efforts to handle the situation, including medical evacuations and quarantine measures. The World Health Organization emphasized the seriousness of the Hantavirus but stated that the public health risk remains low. Efforts are being made to repatriate non-Spanish passengers and ensure proper medical care for affected individuals. Foreign offices are providing assistance to support the safe return of British nationals and ensure public health protection.
The cruise operators, Oceanwide Expeditions, defended their actions, stating that proper procedures were followed regarding the onboard situation. The ship is expected to dock in Tenerife, where passengers will be assessed for repatriation. Meanwhile, health authorities are tracing individuals potentially exposed to the virus, and infected cases are being monitored and treated accordingly.
