Hantavirus outbreak kills 3 people on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean
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Hantavirus outbreak kills 3 people on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean
An American travel blogger described the panic and uncertainty on board a luxury cruise ship hit by a suspected Hantavirus outbreak in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Cape Verde, killing three passengers and leaving dozens stranded at sea.The accident occurred aboard the Dutch-flagged expedition ship MV Hondius, which departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on March 20 on a long voyage across the South Atlantic, including routes to Antarctica.The ship, carrying nearly 150 passengers and crew, is now anchored off Cape Verde after being refused permission to dock due to public health concerns.One American travel blogger on board the plane described the situation as “very real and very uncertain”, with passengers suffering from fear, isolation and delayed medical evacuations.
“We are not just headlines”: an emotional plea from passengers on board
American travel influencer Jake Rosmarin, who has more than 48,000 followers on Instagram, shared a tearful video from the ship, saying passengers were suffering from anxiety and uncertainty.“We are not just headlines…we are people with families, lives, and people waiting for us at home,” he said, urging viewers to remember the human toll behind breaking news.
He added: “All we want now is to feel safe. To have clarity, and to return home.”
He added that the hardest part is “not knowing what will come next” as passengers wait for evacuation and medical clarification.
What is Hanta virus?
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially severe viral infection that is primarily associated with rodents such as rats and mice.According to global health authorities such as the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), humans typically become infected with the virus through exposure to the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents.In rare cases, limited human-to-human transmission has been reported, but this is uncommon.Symptoms of Hanta virusThe illness can start suddenly and is often flu-like at first. Early symptoms include high temperature, chills, severe muscle pain, headache, and fatigue. Some patients may also experience abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting.As the disease progresses, it can become life-threatening, especially when it affects the lungs or kidneys.
How does Hanta virus spread?
Hantavirus is transmitted mainly when humans inhale particles contaminated with rodent droppings.The main methods of spread include:
- Direct contact with rodents
- Inhaling dust contaminated with urine or waste
- Touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes
Health experts stress that person-to-person transmission is extremely rare, although unusual outbreaks are still being investigated.
What happened on MV Hondius?
The outbreak began during a long expedition from Argentina towards the Atlantic and Antarctic regions. Three passengers have died so far, including a Dutch couple and a German citizen, while a 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 investigationVictims’ symptoms reportedly included fever, headache, abdominal pain, and rapid deterioration in health.Authorities are still investigating whether the infection originated on the plane or was caught earlier during a ground stop in South America.
Passengers were stranded due to denial of access to the port
Cape Verdean authorities refused entry to the ship, citing public health risks.
As a result, it remained anchored in the sea and the passengers and crew were unable to disembark.Health teams have been deployed to conduct assessments on board, while evacuation plans are being coordinated with multiple countries, including the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.Officials are also considering redirecting the ship to Spanish ports such as Tenerife or Las Palmas for further medical treatment.The cruise operator said the exact cause of the outbreak remains unconfirmed and is under active investigation.
International health agencies are conducting laboratory testing and contact tracing.The World Health Organization stated that the overall overall risk remains low, while emphasizing that the situation requires careful monitoring and containment measures.Health authorities confirmed that although the situation on board the plane was serious, there was no direct danger to the general public.Investigators are now focusing on possible sources of exposure, including the presence of rodents on the ship or previous infection during a stop in South America.