A British individual fell critically ill after exposure to Hantavirus during a cruise that he described as the “trip of a lifetime” before embarking on the MV Hondius. Martin Anstee, a 56-year-old retired police officer, is currently isolated in a hospital in the Netherlands following his evacuation from the ship. He was one of three individuals medically evacuated from the vessel and transported to the Netherlands. This evacuation came after the ship was linked to three deaths suspected to be related to a Hantavirus outbreak.
The cruise company reported that 30 passengers disembarked from the MV Hondius on St Helena on April 24, following the first reported death on board. Among the disembarked passengers were seven British individuals, with only two of them currently in isolation in the UK. Authorities in South Africa and Europe are now working to locate and monitor contacts of these passengers who disembarked from the ship.
The unfortunate chain of events began on the MV Hondius when a 69-year-old Dutch man passed away on April 11. His wife, also 69, was disembarked with his body on April 24 in St Helena. Tragically, the wife fell ill with Hantavirus after traveling to South Africa and passed away on April 25. A Dutch woman, who had contact with the deceased in South Africa, was admitted to a hospital in Amsterdam after displaying potential symptoms of a Hantavirus infection. She is currently under isolation and observation. Another passenger, a German national, succumbed to the virus on May 2.
Martin Anstee, the former police officer, was part of the guide team on the expedition that commenced on April 1 from Argentina. He expressed his excitement for the wildlife photography opportunities with passengers in various locations. Unfortunately, he fell seriously ill after the Hantavirus outbreak onboard the ship. Anstee, along with two other individuals, was evacuated for medical treatment in the Netherlands. Prof Robin May from the UKHSA mentioned that Anstee is reportedly stable.
In Argentina, authorities are investigating the possibility that the Dutch couple who initially succumbed to the virus may have contracted it during a bird-watching activity near the ship’s docking area. Meanwhile, US travel blogger Jake Rosmarin updated his followers on his journey towards the Canary Islands, expressing hopes for necessary medical care before returning home.
Rosmarin also clarified misconceptions circulating online, emphasizing that the MV Hondius is not a traditional cruise ship but an expedition vessel with stringent cleaning standards and biosecurity protocols. He reassured the public that aside from the two evacuated unwell passengers, everyone else onboard is in good health. Reports indicate that individuals in at least three US states are under monitoring for potential Hantavirus infections, although no symptoms have been reported.
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