MV Hondius En Route to Canary Islands Following Hantavirus Medical Evacuations
Two passengers are in serious condition in the Netherlands after being removed from the vessel. The outbreak, involving the rare Andes strain, has already resulted in three fatalities.
Primary source: BBC World News. Full source links and update notes are below.
Fast summary
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- Three individuals—British, Dutch, and German—were evacuated from the ship while it was anchored near Cape Verde.
- Health authorities have identified eight total cases, consisting of three confirmed and five suspected hantavirus infections.
- A KLM flight attendant has been hospitalized with symptoms after contact with a passenger who disembarked and later died.
What happened
The cruise ship MV Hondius is currently sailing toward Spain's Canary Islands after spending three days anchored near Cape Verde. The vessel's operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, confirmed that three people were medically evacuated from the ship. Two of those individuals, reported to be in serious condition, have arrived in the Netherlands for treatment, while a third remains in stable condition awaiting a delayed flight.
What's new in this update
New reports from Dutch media indicate that a KLM flight attendant has been hospitalized in Amsterdam with symptoms of hantavirus. The attendant reportedly had contact with a 69-year-old Dutch passenger who had been on the MV Hondius but was deemed too ill to fly from South Africa. That passenger subsequently died, and her death is being investigated as a suspected hantavirus case by South African health authorities.
Key details
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified eight cases associated with the ship, which originated its voyage in Argentina. South African authorities confirmed that the Andes strain was present in at least two patients. This specific strain is prominent in Latin America and is notable for its potential for human-to-human transmission. Currently, 146 people from 23 different countries remain on board the MV Hondius under strict precautionary measures.
Background and context
Since the ship set sail a month ago, three people associated with the voyage have died. These include a German woman who died on board May 2 and a Dutch couple; the husband died on board April 11, while the wife died on April 26 after traveling to South Africa. While the woman's death is a suspected hantavirus case, her husband's cause of death has not been officially confirmed.
What to watch next
Health departments in Georgia and Arizona are currently monitoring three residents who were previous passengers on the ship; all are currently asymptomatic. The WHO and various national health agencies are continuing contact tracing efforts, particularly for individuals who may have shared flights with the deceased Dutch passenger in late April.
Why it matters
The outbreak involves the Andes strain of hantavirus, which is particularly concerning to health officials because of its documented ability to spread between humans.
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