An Irish passenger aboard the MV Hondius has shared her experience of the shocking events surrounding a suspected hantavirus outbreak that has tragically claimed the lives of three individuals during an expedition cruise. Ann Lane, who hails from South Dublin, described the atmosphere on the ship as “surreal” following the unexpected deaths of fellow passengers.
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Initially, the passengers were unaware of the seriousness of the situation when the first death occurred. Lane recounted her disbelief as she stated, “We initially thought this man may have just died in his cabin, perhaps suddenly. Nobody really expected anything else to happen.” The deceased fell ill shortly before the ship’s scheduled stop at Saint Helena, located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately, he passed away before the vessel could dock, leaving his body onboard for several days.
The situation grew more distressing when Lane learned that the man’s wife, who had disembarked at Saint Helena, also succumbed to illness soon after. She reportedly collapsed at Johannesburg Airport while trying to board a flight back to Europe and later died in hospital. “That was an awful shock, to hear both of them had died,” Lane reflected. Another passenger, a woman, also died aboard the MV Hondius, with Lane noting: “Her body is still on the ship. It’s terribly sad, really awfully sad.” It remains unclear whether the woman’s remains have since been removed from the vessel.
The MV Hondius has been under scrutiny due to the hantavirus, a rare yet serious disease often associated with rodent droppings. Reports indicate that three passengers have died, while several others have exhibited symptoms. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that the outbreak is linked to a rare strain capable of human-to-human transmission.
The cruise ship, carrying nearly 150 passengers, set sail from Argentina in early April. By May 6, there were eight suspected cases aboard, with three confirmed as hantavirus through laboratory testing. In response to the escalating situation, the ship’s operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, confirmed on May 6 that three individuals were evacuated for urgent medical attention. This included a British doctor, a Dutch national, and a German national, all of whom were directed to specialist facilities.
As the vessel made its way towards Spain’s Canary Islands, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the retrieval of the sick passengers. Oceanwide Expeditions stated that there are currently no symptomatic individuals remaining on board, asserting that the situation has stabilised.
Lane described her own health condition and that of a friend as “fine,” adding, “We can’t really do anything at the moment so it’s a case of ‘hang in there’ and the company will sort everything out.” Despite reassurances from the cruise operator, anxiety remains palpable among passengers. Other accounts suggest that the ship’s captain had initially downplayed the risks associated with the outbreak, informing passengers on April 12 that the first death was attributed to “natural causes” and assuring them that the deceased was “not infectious,” according to Turkish YouTuber and travel blogger Ruhi Çenet.
Reflecting on the captain’s statements, Çenet expressed his displeasure regarding the lack of precautions in the early stages of the outbreak. He stated, “They didn’t know as well; I cannot fully blame them, but they should at least have thought of the possibility of a contagious disease.” His comments highlight the growing concerns regarding the ship’s management and the health protocols in place during such an outbreak.
As the MV Hondius progresses towards the Canary Islands, passengers are left grappling with the emotional and psychological impact of the past weeks. The tragedy on board has brought to light issues surrounding health safety and emergency responses during cruise voyages, prompting calls for greater scrutiny and enhanced protocols to ensure passenger well-being during such journeys.
The arrival of the vessel in Spanish waters is scheduled for Sunday, May 10, as authorities prepare to receive the ship in compliance with international regulations. For now, the passengers continue to endure an uncertain voyage, marked by loss, shock, and questions about the future.