Specialized planes are being dispatched to evacuate two individuals in need of urgent medical attention following a fatal hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius luxury cruise liner. Oceanwide Expeditions, the company operating the cruise, announced that the evacuation will involve two specialized aircraft heading to Cape Verde, an island nation off West Africa.
The cruise ship has been stranded near Cape Verde for several days after the country prohibited it from docking due to the deadly outbreak, which has resulted in three fatalities. The sick individuals, along with a guest linked to a deceased passenger, will be airlifted to the Netherlands for medical treatment, although the exact timeline for the evacuation remains uncertain.
Upon the safe transfer of the three individuals to the Netherlands, the MV Hondius is scheduled to set sail for the Canary Islands, specifically Gran Canaria or Tenerife, requiring approximately three days of travel.
In response to the crisis, the Spanish Health Ministry has confirmed its willingness to receive the Hondius in the Canary Islands, citing international law and humanitarian principles. Medical teams in the Canary Islands will assess and treat all passengers and crew members before arranging for their repatriation to their respective countries.
The World Health Organization has raised concerns about potential human-to-human transmission onboard the ship, emphasizing the need for close contacts to adhere to strict isolation measures. Despite the virus’s lower transmission rate compared to influenza or COVID-19, passengers have been instructed to remain in their cabins as a precaution.
Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the outbreak, with the WHO highlighting the unique challenge of a hantavirus cluster among cruise ship passengers. The ship operator has initiated disinfection protocols, although no rodent infestations have been reported.
The MV Hondius embarked on its journey from Argentina in late March, visiting remote locations such as the Antarctic peninsula and South Georgia and Tristan da Cunha. The confirmed or suspected cases onboard include three fatalities, including a Dutch couple and a German national, as well as a British national in critical condition in a South African hospital.
Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist, noted that hantavirus typically spreads from infected rodents to humans and rarely between individuals. While there is no specific antiviral treatment for hantavirus, patients may require respiratory support such as supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation.
The tragic chain of events aboard the MV Hondius began with the Dutch couple’s travels in South America, including Argentina, before boarding the cruise. The man passed away on April 11, with his wife, who also succumbed to the virus, accompanying his repatriation. The luxury cruise, marketed as an Antarctic nature expedition, had ticket prices ranging from 14,000 to 22,000 euros.
The evacuation efforts and medical response continue as authorities work to contain the outbreak and ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals onboard the MV Hondius.