Overview of the Hantavirus Outbreak on a Cruise Ship
A suspected outbreak of hantavirus has led to three deaths and one person in intensive care on a cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic Ocean, according to reports from South Africa. The World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed that only one case of the virus had been identified on the vessel, which is a Dutch cruise liner called the MV Hondius.
The incident involves six individuals who showed symptoms, with four Australians among 88 passengers and 68 crew members aboard the ship. A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson confirmed that none of the reported cases involved Australians.
Timeline of the Medical Situation
On April 11, a Dutch passenger died on the ship, and his wife left the vessel with his body at St Helena on April 24. However, three days later, the woman became unwell and died during the return journey. South Africa’s Department of Health identified the husband as a 70-year-old man.
That same day, a British passenger still on board became “seriously ill” and was medically evacuated to South Africa, where he remained in a critical but stable condition in a Johannesburg intensive care unit. Oceanwide Expeditions stated that a variant of hantavirus had been identified in that patient but stressed that the Dutch couple’s deaths had not been confirmed as “connected to the current medical situation on board.”
A third passenger, from Germany, died on May 2, though the cause of death had not yet been established. Two crew members required “urgent attention” for “acute respiratory systems,” with one experiencing mild symptoms and the other severe ones.
“Hantavirus has not currently been confirmed in the two persons still on board who require medical care,” Oceanwide Expeditions said. “Nor has it been established that the virus is connected to the three deaths associated with this voyage. The exact cause and any possible connection are being investigated.”
Ongoing Investigations and Measures
Oceanwide Expeditions mentioned that they were working closely with the WHO, the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They are preparing for “possible medical repatriation and next steps.” The company is considering options such as sailing on to Las Palmas or Tenerife as a gateway for disembarkation, where further medical screening and handling could take place.
“Strict precautionary measures are in process on board, including isolation measures, hygiene protocols and medical monitoring. All passengers have been informed and are being supported,” the company added.
Local health authorities visited the ship, but no authorisation was given to disembark guests requiring medical care or to support with medical screening. Cape Verdean health authorities boarded the ship to assess the people requiring medical attention, but they were not allowed to leave the ship.
Repatriation Efforts and Challenges
Oceanwide Expeditions is working with Dutch authorities to repatriate two symptomatic people on the ship back to the Netherlands, along with the body of one of the people who died on board. The company described the challenges faced in helping expedite the treatment of its sick crew members.
The ship was sailing from Ushuaia at the bottom of Argentina to Cape Verde, and is estimated to have 150 passengers on board, according to South Africa’s health department. The Hondius, described as a specialist polar cruise ship, usually travels with around 70 crew members.
Understanding Hantavirus
Hantavirus is a group of viruses that can impact people, though there have been no human cases recorded in Australia. The virus is found all over the world, including in Asia, Europe, and the USA. It gained attention last year after the late actor Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, died from hantavirus infection. Hackman died around a week later at their home from heart disease.
The virus can cause a severe and sometimes deadly lung infection called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. There is no specific treatment or cure for hantavirus infections, but early medical attention can increase the chance of survival.
