Additional Coverage:
A passenger aboard the m/v Hondius cruise ship, currently anchored off the coast of Cape Verde, has shared a heartfelt account of the fear and uncertainty experienced by those on board amid an ongoing investigation into a suspected hantavirus outbreak that has claimed three lives.
“I am currently on board the m/v Hondius, and what’s happening right now is very real for all of us here,” the passenger said. “We’re not just a story, we’re not just headlines – we’re people with families, with lives, with people waiting for us at home.”
He emphasized the difficulty of the unknown, stating, “There’s a lot of uncertainty, and that’s the hardest part. All we want right now is to feel safe, to have clarity and to get home.
So if you’re seeing coverage about this, just remember that there are real people behind it and that this isn’t something happening somewhere far away. It’s happening to us right now.”
The World Health Organization confirmed on Sunday that one case of hantavirus infection aboard the vessel has been laboratory verified, while five additional suspected cases remain under review. Among the six affected individuals, three have died, and one patient is currently in intensive care in South Africa.
Oceanwide Expeditions, the company operating the m/v Hondius, provided a timeline outlining the progression of events. The first fatality occurred on April 11 when a Dutch passenger died, although the cause of death was initially undetermined.
That individual was disembarked on St. Helena on April 24.
On April 27, the passenger’s wife, also Dutch, fell ill during the return journey and subsequently passed away, though it remains unclear if her death is linked to the outbreak. That same day, another passenger, a British national, became seriously ill and was medically evacuated to South Africa, where hantavirus infection has been confirmed. A third passenger, a German national, died on May 2, with the cause of death still under investigation.
Additionally, two crew members-a British and a Dutch national-are reported to be experiencing acute respiratory symptoms and require urgent medical attention. It has not yet been determined whether they are infected with hantavirus or if their conditions are connected to the fatalities.
Currently, the ship remains at sea with 149 people on board, representing more than 20 nationalities. Disembarkation and medical evacuations await clearance from local health authorities. Oceanwide Expeditions is coordinating closely with local and international health agencies, including the WHO, and considering directing the vessel to ports such as Las Palmas or Tenerife to facilitate further medical screening and potential repatriation.
The company has implemented strict safety protocols on board, including isolation measures, enhanced hygiene practices, and continuous medical monitoring. Passengers have been kept informed and are receiving support during this challenging situation.
“We are in close contact with those directly involved and their families, and are providing support where possible,” the company stated.
As investigations continue, the priority remains the health and safety of everyone on board, underscoring the serious risks posed by rodent-borne diseases like hantavirus in closed environments such as cruise ships.