The MV Hondius cruise ship reported a suspected hantavirus outbreak that has killed 3 people and left at least 3 others seriously ill while the vessel remained in the Atlantic near Cape Verde and São Tomé & Príncipe. [1, 2, 3, 4]
The dead include a 70-year-old Dutch man who became ill on board and died near Saint Helena, his 69-year-old wife who later died in South Africa after evacuation, and a third passenger described by some sources as a German national. [1, 2, 3, 4]
At least 3 other passengers or crew were seriously ill and receiving medical care, including a 69-year-old British man who was evacuated to South Africa on April 27, while 2 crew members aboard needed urgent treatment for acute respiratory symptoms. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Health authorities have said the illness is suspected to be hantavirus, which spreads mainly through contact with rodent droppings, urine or saliva and can rarely pass between people. The exact strain has not been publicly confirmed, but officials are considering the Andes virus because of the route and symptoms. [1, 2, 5, 3, 4]
The World Health Organization said it was supporting the response and that detailed investigations, laboratory testing, epidemiological work and virus sequencing were under way. “Medical care and support are being provided to passengers and crew,” the WHO said. [1]
Oceanwide Expeditions said passengers could not disembark until local health authorities approved screening and evacuation plans, and that local authorities had boarded the vessel and assessed the situation. The company said medical transfer of the 2 ill crew members had not yet taken place. [2]
The ship left Ushuaia, Argentina, in March on an expedition voyage. It has 149 passengers and crew on board, from about 23 nationalities, and the vessel has around 80 cabins and a capacity of 170 passengers. [2, 3]
Authorities in South Africa, the Netherlands and other agencies are coordinating medical care, investigations and possible evacuation or repatriation. The cruise ship was reported off Cape Verde on May 3 and May 4, with disembarkation and screening under discussion at Spanish ports Las Palmas or Tenerife. [1, 2, 3, 4]
