Hantavirus scare on cruise ship: 2 Indians among crew as WHO confirms cases, 3 dead
Hantavirus cases detected on Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius, with two Indians among crew. WHO confirms infections and urges caution as passengers are traced globally
Hantavirus scare on MV Hondius: A suspected outbreak of hantavirus aboard the Dutch expedition cruise vessel MV Hondius has raised global health concerns, with at least two Indian nationals among the crew members, according to international media reports.
The luxury vessel, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, set sail from Argentina on April 1 and is scheduled to arrive at Spain’s Canary Islands on May 10. At the start of the voyage, around 150 passengers and crew members representing 28 nationalities were onboard. However, several passengers disembarked during a stop at Saint Helena island on April 24.
Reports indicate that the majority of those onboard included 38 individuals from the Philippines, 31 from the United Kingdom, 23 from the United States, 16 from the Netherlands, 14 from Spain, nine from Germany, six from Canada, and two crew members from India.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed five cases of hantavirus infection out of eight suspected cases linked to the vessel. A 69-year-old Dutch woman has died following confirmation of the infection. Two additional deaths, involving her husband and a German woman, are currently under investigation.
Health officials have clarified that the situation does not signal the onset of a pandemic. Maria Van Kerkhove, an infectious disease expert with WHO, stated during a briefing that hantavirus spreads primarily through close and direct contact, unlike airborne viruses such as Covid-19.
Hantavirus is typically transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents or their droppings. However, in this case, authorities are examining evidence suggesting possible human-to-human transmission, a rare occurrence for this virus.
Efforts are underway to trace passengers who disembarked at Saint Helena. Oceanwide Expeditions confirmed that at least 29 passengers from 12 countries left the ship at the British Overseas Territory, including seven British nationals.
The body of one deceased individual, identified as a Dutch national, has already been removed from the vessel. Health authorities across multiple countries are now monitoring the situation closely and coordinating contact-tracing measures to prevent further spread.