A British man remains critically ill in South Africa with confirmed hantavirus as investigators probe three passenger deaths on a cruise ship anchored off Cape Verde, raising fears of an onboard outbreak.
The MV Hondius, a 107.6-metre polar expedition vessel operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, carries 149 people from 23 countries after departing Ushuaia, Argentina, three weeks ago. The luxury liner, equipped for remote Antarctic voyages with 80 cabins, 57 crew, 13 guides and a doctor, now lingers outside Praia harbour amid mounting health concerns.
The crisis began when a passenger fell gravely ill at sea and died on 11 April. His body was removed at St Helena on 24 April for examination. His Dutch wife, who also disembarked there, later died during her return journey. A German national followed as the third victim on Saturday.
On 27 April, a 69-year-old British passenger was medically evacuated to Johannesburg, where tests verified hantavirus; the Dutch woman’s autopsy yielded the same result, though other causes await confirmation.
Primarily spread by rodents through urine, droppings or saliva, hantavirus can trigger life-threatening lung failure, but human transmission stays rare, experts note. The World Health Organization is scrutinising five more suspected cases linked to the ship.
Oceanwide Expeditions says calm prevails aboard. “The atmosphere on board MV Hondius remains calm, with passengers generally composed,” the company stated. Two crew members, British and Dutch, report breathing difficulties and may soon face airlift via specialised planes. “This will involve two specialised aircraft equipped with the necessary medical equipment and staffed by trained medical crews,” it added.
Dutch officials coordinate the evacuation, while Cape Verde blocks landings to safeguard locals. South Africa’s Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi said of the Briton, “He’s being taken care of. As you know, hantavirus, like all viruses, don’t have any specific treatment, so they are giving symptomatic treatment and support as much as they could.”
WHO’s Dr Hans Henri P Kluge urged restraint, “Hantavirus infections are uncommon.”
“While severe in some cases, it is not easily transmitted between people. The risk to the wider public remains low. There is no need for panic or travel restrictions.”
An anonymous passenger told the BBC the mood holds steady, though questions swirl over potential rodent sources despite assurances none are aboard.