Seven British individuals departed from the MV Hondius vessel following the initial fatality, as per recent disclosures about the ill-fated expedition. The cruise company announced that 30 passengers left the ship at St Helena on April 24 after the first person passed away on board. Among those who disembarked, two Britons are currently in isolation in the UK due to potential exposure to the virus, while the status of the remaining five is undisclosed.
To date, three passengers from the ship have succumbed to the suspected Hantavirus outbreak. One British national remains in critical condition in South Africa after testing positive for the virus, while another, a former police officer who served as a guide on the ship, is undergoing treatment in Amsterdam.
Oceanwide Expeditions issued a statement on Thursday morning indicating that the vessel departed Cape Verde on Wednesday at 7:15 pm en route to Granadilla in Tenerife, with an estimated voyage duration of 3-4 days. The company reassured that no symptomatic individuals are currently onboard and that they are in constant communication with relevant authorities regarding arrival plans, quarantine measures, screening protocols, and a detailed timeline.
The ship’s operators confirmed that 114 passengers embarked in Ushuaia, Argentina on April 1, with 30 disembarking at Saint Helena on April 24, including the deceased individual from April 11. The first confirmed Hantavirus case was reported on May 4, prompting Oceanwide Expeditions to contact all disembarked guests for further information gathering on passengers and crew movements since March 20.
Martin Anstee, 56, one of the evacuated Britons, was airlifted to the Netherlands for treatment after falling seriously ill on the ship. Anstee, now in stable condition, expressed optimism about his recovery while undergoing isolation and awaiting test results. Anstee, a wildlife photographer, had eagerly anticipated the expedition, described as a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, which commenced from Argentina on April 1. However, his experience took a turn for the worse following the Hantavirus outbreak, leading to his evacuation.
Authorities in South Africa and Europe are actively tracing contacts of the disembarked passengers to contain the spread of the virus. The tragic events began with the death of a Dutch man on April 11 on the MV Hondius, and subsequently, his wife fell ill from the virus and passed away in South Africa. Another Dutch woman, a former flight attendant, is under observation in Amsterdam for potential Hantavirus infection after contact with the deceased woman in South Africa. Regrettably, a German passenger also succumbed to the virus on May 2.
In Argentina, investigations are underway to determine if the Dutch couple contracted the virus during a bird-watching excursion near the port in Ushuaia, where they may have encountered infected rodents at a landfill site. Efforts to contain the situation and prevent further infections are ongoing.
Jake Rosmarin, a US travel blogger, shared updates with followers, expressing relief about heading towards the Canary Islands for medical care and testing before returning home. He clarified misconceptions about the vessel, emphasizing its adherence to high cleaning standards and biosecurity protocols. Rosmarin reassured that apart from the two evacuated passengers, everyone else onboard remains in good health and spirits.
Reports indicate that individuals in at least three US states are under observation for potential Hantavirus infections, with no reported illnesses thus far. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to prevent any further spread of the virus.