2 Indian Crew Aboard Cruise Ship With Hantavirus Outbreak, Their Status Remains Unknown

Two Indian crew members are among the 149 people stranded aboard the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius, where a hantavirus outbreak has killed three passengers and infected several others.

The ship, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, has been anchored near Cape Verde in the Atlantic Ocean after multiple passengers developed symptoms linked to the rare and potentially deadly virus.

Oceanwide Expeditions shared a nationality-wise list of passengers and crew members on board, confirming the presence of two Indian crew members, according to a report by India Today. However, the company did not disclose their identities, roles, or health condition. According to the list, 149 people people are from 23 different countries, including tourists from Great Britain,

the United States, Germany, Spain.

The outbreak has so far claimed three lives, including a Dutch couple and a German passenger. One critically ill patient was evacuated for treatment, while several others continue to remain under medical observation.

According to WHO, the illness was first reported on May 2 after passengers developed severe respiratory symptoms during the voyage. Investigators believe the virus may have been contracted before boarding the ship during travel in parts of Argentina and Chile.

What Is Hantavirus?

Hantavirus is primarily spread through contact with urine, saliva, or droppings of infected rodents. Health authorities said the strain linked to the outbreak is likely the Andes virus, a rare form known to spread between humans in limited cases involving close contact.

The MV Hondius was carrying passengers and crew from 23 countries on an expedition voyage that began in Argentina and was headed towards the Canary Islands.

Several countries are now tracing passengers and contacts linked to the ship as international health agencies monitor the outbreak.

When Did Outbreak Begin?

The first sign of the hantavirus outbreak was evident when the ship’s captain addressed passengers. “This is my sad duty to inform you that one of our passengers suddenly passed away last night,” he said in a video recorded by Cenet.

Passengers were assured that the death was due to “natural causes”. “When it comes to that, the ship is safe”, the captain announced.

After the death of a passenger, life continued normally on the vessel, with people eating together at buffet tables and socialising freely, Cenet recalled.

“Knowing that we didn’t get isolated and we didn’t take any caution for a solid 12 days is a very sad situation. We again kept eating all together… and we didn’t wear any masks,” he said in the video.

As unease surfaced, the vlogger revealed that he had isolated himself from the passengers. “I already kind of isolated myself from the crowd. I started having my meals in my own cabin,” he said.