Hantavirus: Passengers fear stigma

• Spanish passengers fear social stigma following hantavirus outbreak
• WHO clarifies hantavirus is distinct from coronavirus to ease fears
• Passengers face quarantine and public backlash upon returning home

MADRID (AP) — Following a hantavirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, anxiety has spread among Spanish passengers regarding their reception

upon returning home. The outbreak has garnered significant media attention, causing many to worry more about public perception than the virus itself. Passengers have reported seeing sensational news coverage and social media posts that have cast them as pariahs. Two individuals contacted by The Associated Press from the ship expressed their fears of being labeled as viral vectors, prompting them to speak anonymously to avoid further stigmatization.

Passenger Concerns

One passenger remarked, “You go onto social media – they want to dynamite the boat. They want to sink the boat.” This sentiment reflects the growing anxiety among passengers about how they will be perceived by those on land.

Another passenger noted, “You see what’s out there and you realize you’re heading into the eye of a hurricane. Many people forget that in here there are more than 140 passengers. In reality, there are 140 human beings.” These comments highlight the personal impact of the outbreak on those aboard.

Expert Opinions on Hantavirus

The World Health Organization (WHO) has sought to clarify misconceptions surrounding hantavirus, asserting that it is distinct from the coronavirus. Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s head of epidemic and pandemic preparedness, emphasized, “This is very different virus. I want to be unequivocal here. This is not the start of a COVID pandemic.”

Hantavirus is primarily transmitted through contaminated rodent droppings, with human-to-human transmission being rare. However, concerns have arisen regarding the Andes virus linked to this outbreak, which may allow for limited human transmission.

Public and Political Reactions

Some public figures have expressed apprehension about the ship's return. Fernando Clavijo, the regional president of the Canary Islands, stated he would not feel comfortable until all passengers had left Spain. Madrid’s regional leader, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, criticized the decision to transfer Spanish passengers to a military hospital for quarantine.

One passenger commented on the negative public sentiment, saying, “We’ve seen news that no one wants this boat. That it’s a boat of infected people, a boat of multimillionaires, full of rats.” This reflects the growing narrative surrounding the ship and its passengers.

Life Onboard the Ship

Despite the outbreak, daily life aboard the ship has remained relatively calm. Passengers engage in activities such as reading, attending talks, and participating in morning exercise groups while adhering to safety protocols like wearing masks and maintaining social distance.

Passengers have expressed a desire to continue cruising in the future. One remarked, “For me, personally, traveling is a means to ... live out what I’m passionate about — which is observing nature and documenting nature. Of course I would go on a cruise again.”