Rare rodent-borne disease is running amok on a cruise ship on Atlantic Ocean, and now WHO is involved

Medics are currently working to evacuate two individuals from a luxury cruise ship that is stranded off the coast of Cape Verde following a suspected outbreak of a rare, rodent-borne respiratory virus, The Guardian reported. The situation onboard the MV Hondius has become increasingly complex, as health officials confirm that three people have died and three others have fallen seriously ill. This alarming series of events has forced nearly 150 passengers from 23 different countries into isolation.

The MV Hondius, a 107-metre-long vessel, originally departed from southern Argentina back in March. The ship is typically known for its long-duration Atlantic Odyssey cruises, which can last anywhere from 33 to 43 nights and take travelers through remote parts of Antarctica and various isolated islands. However, this particular voyage has turned into a major public health concern.

The World Health Organization is now actively investigating the situation, specifically looking into a suspected outbreak of hantavirus. This is a particularly rare disease that is usually linked to environmental exposure through the urine or feces of infected rodents.

The timeline of this tragedy is heartbreaking

According to Oceanwide Expeditions, the cruise operator, the first passenger to pass away was a Dutch national. This individual died on April 11, though the cause of death was not immediately clear while the ship was still at sea. The passenger was eventually disembarked on St Helena on April 24, with his wife accompanying him for repatriation.

Shortly after, a second Dutch national, a 69-year-old woman, became unwell. She tragically collapsed at an airport in South Africa while attempting to return to the Netherlands and later died at a local hospital. On May 2, a third passenger, a German national, also died, though the company noted that his cause of death has not yet been established.

Beyond those who have lost their lives, the virus has left others in critical condition. A 69-year-old British tourist was evacuated to South Africa on April 27 and remains in intensive care in Johannesburg. Medical professionals have identified a variant of hantavirus in this patient, which is a significant development in the ongoing investigation.

Additionally, two crew members, one British and one Dutch, are currently suffering from acute respiratory symptoms. While the company has stated that hantavirus has not been confirmed in these two crew members, their condition is serious enough to require urgent medical attention.

The uncertainty of the situation is weighing heavily on those still trapped on the vessel. Jake Rosmarin, a US travel blogger who is currently on the ship, shared his perspective in a video posted to social media on Monday. He said, “We’re not just headlines: we are people.” He continued, “People with families, with lives, with people waiting for us at home. There’s a lot of uncertainty, and that’s the hardest part.”

Currently, the MV Hondius is anchored off the coast of Cape Verde. The situation took another turn on Monday when local health authorities refused to authorize the ship to dock, citing a need to protect national public health. Instead of docking, the ship is in coordination with authorities in the Netherlands and the UK to manage the situation.

This coordination is intended to ensure proper clinical monitoring of the patients and to organize a potential medical evacuation by air. Oceanwide Expeditions is also exploring the possibility of sailing to the Canary Islands, perhaps to Las Palmas or Tenerife, for further medical screening.

Experts are still scratching their heads regarding the exact source of the infection. A spokesperson for the Netherlands’ National Institute for Public Health and the Environment mentioned that it is possible rats on the ship transmitted the virus, but it is equally possible that passengers were infected during a stop in South America via mice. The investigation is still ongoing, and sequencing of the virus is currently underway to provide more definitive answers.

While the World Health Organization has stated that the risk to the wider public remains low and that there is no need for panic or travel restrictions, the reality on the ship is quite different. The WHO is currently facilitating coordination between various countries and the cruise operator to manage the medical evacuations and provide a full public health risk assessment.

Even though hantavirus is rare, the fact that it can potentially spread between people makes this a high-priority situation that requires careful, continuous monitoring. For now, the passengers and crew remain under strict precautionary measures, including hygiene protocols and medical isolation, as they wait for the next phase of this difficult journey.