A medical emergency has arisen on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, with a British crew member in need of urgent medical care and a passenger from the UK in critical but stable condition due to a suspected hantavirus outbreak. Oceanwide Expeditions, the tour operator, has reported three fatalities and two confirmed cases of the virus.
Among the cases are a British passenger receiving treatment in South Africa and a Dutch woman, who was confirmed to have the virus after passing away on April 27 following disembarkation. The company disclosed that both a British and a Dutch staff member are exhibiting symptoms of acute respiratory distress, with one in mild condition and the other in a severe state.
The outbreak occurred on the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius cruise ship during its voyage from Argentina to Cape Verde. The British patient, evacuated to South Africa on April 27, remains in a critical but stable condition and is under intensive care in Johannesburg.
The cruise commenced on April 1, and a passenger passed away on board on April 11, with the cause of death undetermined at that time. Subsequently, on April 24, the deceased passenger was disembarked on St Helena, where the accompanying spouse also fell ill and passed away. Both individuals, Dutch nationals, were later confirmed to have tested positive for a hantavirus variant.
On May 2, a German passenger on the ship also died, though the exact cause has not been established as per the tour operator. Oceanwide Expeditions stated that all passengers, except for three who require medical evacuation, will not disembark in Cape Verde.
The company announced plans for the medical evacuation of the symptomatic individuals, in coordination with Dutch authorities, using specialized aircraft and medical personnel. The final disembarkation location for the ship, which may head to Las Palmas or Tenerife, is yet to be determined. Hantavirus infections, typically transmitted through infected rodents’ excreta, can result in severe respiratory illness and potentially fatal outcomes.
A UK Government spokesperson expressed concern for those on board the MV Hondius and the affected families, stating that consular support is being provided by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in multiple countries. The risk to the general public is considered low, with the WHO regional director for Europe advising against panic or travel restrictions.
While hantavirus infections rarely spread between individuals, the WHO notes that early medical intervention can improve patients’ chances of survival, as there is currently no specific treatment or cure available.
