A passenger aboard a luxury cruise ship that was struck by a deadly hantavirus outbreak has accused the captain of failing to adequately inform those on board about the risks they faced following the first fatality. Ruhi Cenet was among nearly 150 passengers on the MV Hondius when the virus emerged last month. To date, eight individuals have contracted the virus, which has claimed three lives and forced over 100 remaining passengers into quarantine.
The first death occurred on April 11, involving a 70-year-old Dutch man who had been suffering from severe illness for several days. In a video recorded by Cenet, Captain Jan Dobrogowski is seen reassuring passengers that the death was due to “natural causes” and posed no threat to others. “Tragic as it is, it was due to natural causes, we believe,” Dobrogowski stated. “And also whatever health issues he was struggling with, I’m told by the doctor, were not infectious, so the ship is safe when it comes to that. The ship is safe. This gentleman, unfortunately, succumbed to natural causes. And like I say, we do what we can in order to continue in a safe and dignified way.”
Cenet criticized the captain for not recognizing the severity of the situation, especially after several passengers disembarked following the death, prompting urgent efforts to prevent a global spread. “It turns out we were not well informed,” Cenet told NBC News. He had boarded the ship in Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, intending to film a vlog about a remote archipelago. The cruise initially felt like a luxury vacation, but soon turned ominous. Cenet noted that the captain had not previously participated in briefings, so when he announced the death, “I felt something odd.”
“It’s very scary because it was nothing that we were ready for,” Cenet added. Life on the cruise continued as normal for several days, as passengers believed the captain’s assurances. “Knowing that we didn’t get isolated and we didn’t take any caution for a solid 12 days, for my part, is a very sad situation. I wish everyone was more mindful.” Cenet took a blood test upon returning to Turkey and has shown no symptoms, which he attributes to isolating himself on the ship. “I already kind of isolated myself from the crowd. I started having my meals in my own cabin.”
The hantavirus outbreak has sparked panic among health officials due to the potential for global spread, as several passengers left the ship without being informed of the risks. The Dutch man’s body remained on the vessel for two weeks until it was removed on St. Helena on April 24. Two days later, his 69-year-old wife fell ill and died after disembarking there. The third fatality was a German woman who died on May 2. At least eight infections have been reported, with several patients in critical condition in South Africa and Switzerland. The World Health Organization is trying to locate at least 69 people who may have come into contact with the Dutch woman, who boarded two flights before her death. A Frenchman who had contact with her on a flight is being monitored. A Dutch flight attendant with mild symptoms has been hospitalized due to possible hantavirus exposure. Officials believe the couple contracted the virus during a bird-watching outing to a garbage dump in Ushuaia. Six Americans are being monitored across three states after disembarking.
In response to Cenet’s video, Oceanwide Expeditions, the ship’s operator, stated it was “aware” of the announcement. “We want to provide clarity on this video. At the time the captain spoke to passengers, the cause of death of this individual was unknown. No other symptomatic individuals were present on board. At the time of the announcement, no evidence of a virus or contagion was present on the vessel. The case was believed to be isolated following medical review.” The company added that proper procedures were followed in informing all guests and crew, and maritime standards regarding the management and reporting of a death at sea were adhered to.
