Hantavirus outbreak: MV Hondius crew told passengers victim was ‘not infectious’

Crew members on the MV Hondius reportedly reassured passengers that the first victim of the outbreak was not infectious, potentially delaying critical safety measures. 

Three passengers have died so far-a Dutch couple and a German national-following a suspected outbreak of hantavirus during an “Atlantic Odyssey” cruise from Argentina. 

The Dutch-flagged exploration ship MV Hondius is currently stranded off the coast of Praia, Cape Verde, following a deadly outbreak of hantavirus. 

According to authorities, the nearly 148 people on board were denied permission to disembark due to health concerns.

Three passengers have died so far-a Dutch couple and a German national. Similarly, one British national is in intensive care in South Africa, while 23 other Britons remain trapped on the vessel.

Footage shared by a Turkish YouTuber on board appears to show crew members originally reassuring passengers that the first victim was not infectious, potentially delaying necessary precautions.

“One of our passengers suddenly passed away last night,” he says, adding: “I am told by the doctor they are not infectious… The ship is safe when it comes to this.”

The Turkish influencer, Ruhi Cenet, criticized the ship’s crew for their response to the first fatality. In a video posted on social media, he told his 1.3 million Instagram followers: “It turns out the situation was much worse than we were told.”

“One of our passengers suddenly passed away last night,” he says, adding: “I am told by the doctor they are not infectious… The ship is safe when it comes to this.”

“I got off the ship on day 24 but this vessel called MV Hondius carried on toward its final destination for another 11 days. Just one day after I left, the wife of the person who died also passed away.

“After a third person died it became clear there was hantavirus on board.”

He added: “I wish the vessel’s management had taken this problem more seriously from the very first death. 

They should have thought that it might be a contagious disease. 

“People who may have been carrying the virus should have been quarantined but everyone was still together, meals were eaten together and group activities continued.