A Dutch birdwatcher, Leo Schilperoord, has been identified as the initial case of the hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship after visiting a landfill site referred to as the “end of the world.” Leo, along with his wife Mirjam, boarded the ship following their visit to a rubbish tip in Argentina. Sadly, Leo succumbed to the virus while on the vessel, and Mirjam tragically passed away while trying to return to the Netherlands from South Africa.
The couple, residents of Haulerwijk in the Netherlands, had embarked on a five-month journey across South America before boarding the MV Hondius. During their travels, they explored a landfill site near Ushuaia, Argentina, known for its unique bird species like the White-bellied Seedsnipe. It is called “the end of the world” and is a popular spot for birdwatchers despite being avoided by locals.
Authorities in Argentina suspect that Leo and Mirjam contracted the hantavirus strain from the Andes region at the landfill site, likely through contact with infected rodents. The couple set sail on the MV Hondius on April 1 from Ushuaia, with Leo falling ill shortly after departure. He passed away on the ship, and his body was later transported to St Helena.
Mirjam, accompanying Leo’s body, also fell ill and was prevented from boarding a flight in South Africa. She was rushed to a hospital where she died a day later. A third passenger from the ship, a German national, also lost their life.
The hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius has now affected a total of six individuals, including three British citizens, as reported by the World Health Organization. Obituaries in the local village magazine mourned the loss of the Dutch couple, reminiscing about their stories and presence.
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