A passenger aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, currently at the center of a suspected hantavirus outbreak, has issued an emotional plea. Jake Rosmarin, a US travel blogger from Boston, expressed the desperation of the approximately 150 people stranded on the vessel, stating, “All we want right now is to feel safe, to have clarity and to get home.”
Details of the Outbreak
The World Health Organization and South Africa’s Department of Health have confirmed that three individuals have died amid the suspected outbreak of the rare rat-borne virus. The deceased include a married Dutch couple and a German national. Additionally, three others have fallen ill: a British passenger, a British crew member, and a Dutch crew member. The 69-year-old British passenger is currently in intensive care in Johannesburg, while the two crew members exhibit acute respiratory symptoms, one mild and one severe, according to Oceanwide Expeditions, the cruise operator.
The Dutch company reported that hantavirus has been confirmed in the British passenger’s case, but the cause of death for the three fatalities has not yet been determined. The MV Hondius is currently anchored off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, as local authorities have refused to allow anyone to disembark.
Passenger’s Emotional Appeal
In a tearful Instagram video posted on Monday, Rosmarin addressed his 44,100 followers, saying, “I am currently on board the MV Hondius, and what's happening right now is very real for all of us here. We're not just a story, we're not just headlines, we're people. People with families, with lives, with people waiting for us at home.” He emphasized the uncertainty of the situation, adding, “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.” He ended the video by asking for “kindness and understanding.” In a caption, he expressed gratitude to Oceanwide Expeditions and the crew, who he said had been handling the situation “to the best of their ability.”
Background and Health Risks
The Dutch-flagged MV Hondius departed Argentina approximately three weeks ago on a cruise that included visits to Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, and other destinations. It was scheduled to continue across the Atlantic toward Spain’s Canary Islands, according to South Africa’s Department of Health. Hantavirus is primarily spread through contact with urine, droppings, or saliva from infected rodents, particularly when these materials become airborne and are inhaled. This is the same disease that claimed the life of Betsy Arakawa, wife of actor Gene Hackman, in New Mexico in February last year.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hantaviruses cause two serious syndromes: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which affects the lungs, and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, which affects the kidneys. While rare, the WHO notes that hantavirus infections can, in some cases, spread between people. There is no specific treatment or cure, but early medical attention can improve survival chances. The WHO stated, “WHO is aware of and supporting a public health event involving a cruise vessel sailing in the Atlantic Ocean. Detailed investigations are ongoing, including further laboratory testing and epidemiological investigations. Medical care and support are being provided to passengers and crew. Sequencing of the virus is also ongoing.”
