A British doctor was among three patients airlifted from a hantavirus-stricken cruise ship on Wednesday to receive specialist medical care. The MV Hondius, a luxury cruise ship, is currently anchored off Cape Verde awaiting permission to dock in Spain's Canary Islands.
Outbreak Details
Eight suspected cases of hantavirus have been linked to the ship, with five confirmed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Three passengers have died. The cause remains unconfirmed, but Argentine investigators suspect a Dutch couple contracted the virus during a bird-watching tour in Ushuaia, Argentina, possibly at a landfill where they were exposed to infected rodents.
Evacuations and Medical Response
The three evacuated included the ship's 56-year-old British doctor, who is no longer in critical condition, a 41-year-old Dutch national, and a 65-year-old German national. They will be transferred to specialist hospitals in Europe. Two crew members were among those evacuated. The ship's operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, stated that two patients were ill, while the third had no symptoms but was closely associated with a German passenger who died.
Additionally, two passengers tested positive for the Andes strain in South Africa, which is rare but can be transmitted between humans. WHO has not found any changes to the strain that would increase transmissibility. A Swiss national is being treated in a hospital in Zurich.
Quarantine and Docking Plans
The remaining 150 passengers are isolated in their cabins and expected to arrive in the Canary Islands soon. However, Fernando Clavijo, leader of the Canary Islands, opposes docking due to insufficient information for public safety. Spanish health minister Mónica García confirmed the ship will dock at a secondary port in Tenerife, posing no risk to the public. Around 140 passengers will be repatriated.
Government Response
The UK Foreign Office is working urgently to bring British passengers home. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed concern and said the Foreign Office is supporting the UK Health Security Agency's efforts. The ship departed Argentina on 1 April for a voyage including Antarctica and the Falkland Islands.
Passenger Morale
Passenger Qasem Elhato, 31, reported that morale remains high, with passengers keeping busy reading, watching movies, and having hot drinks. Symptoms of hantavirus, spread through contaminated rodent droppings, include muscle aches, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and shortness of breath.
