Eight Cases of Andes Hantavirus Confirmed or Suspected Among MV Hondius Passengers and Crew

The World Health Organization confirmed five cases of hantavirus tied to the vessel and stated there are also three suspected cases. WHO chief said there are five confirmed hantavirus cases and three suspected cases from the cruise ship.

The organization sought to quell worldwide fears and stated that the risk of widespread transmission is low. The Andes strain is typically found in South America, including parts of Argentina, where the MV Hondius departed before the outbreak occurred onboard. The ship is operated by Oceanwide Expeditions.

Oceanwide Expeditions is working to establish details of all passengers and crew who embarked and disembarked since March 20. A passenger-filmed video from April 12 shows the MV Hondius captain announcing a first death initially believed to be non-infectious.

The outbreak has sickened five others in addition to the three deaths. About 40 passengers from the MV Hondius disembarked on St. Helena, according to Dutch officials. American passengers who left the MV Hondius in April are being monitored for hantavirus in at least three states.

One infected passenger had briefly boarded a plane to the Netherlands before she died. A Dutch flight attendant was among those tested in connection with the outbreak. Passenger Martin Anstee spoke from his hospital bed after being evacuated from the MV Hondius.

"I feel like I've been hit by a truck," Anstee told Sky News.

“We are doing everything possible to support those affected and to provide full transparency to health authorities tracking every individual who has been on board." — Oceanwide Expeditions spokesperson. The MV Hondius remains at sea while contact tracing continues across several countries. Health experts are tracing potential hantavirus victims connected to the vessel as it proceeds toward its next port.”