2 Indian Crew Aboard Hantavirus-hit Ship, Status Unknown
8 May 2026 9:23 AM IST8 May 2026 9:23 AM IST
Health authorities across four continents were tracking down and monitoring passengers who disembarked a hantavirus-stricken cruise ship before its deadly outbreak was detected
At least two Indian nationals are part of the crew of the Dutch vessel MV Hondius which reported a hantavirus outbreak with five confirmed cases and three deaths so far, (File Photo)
London: At least two Indian nationals are among the crew of the Dutch vessel MV Hondius, where a hantavirus outbreak has resulted in five confirmed cases and three deaths, according to a BBC report. Around 150 passengers and crew from 28 countries were initially on board. Dozens disembarked at St Helena on April 24. The BBC reported that the group included 38 from the Philippines, 31 from the UK, 23 from the US, 16 from the Netherlands, 14 from Spain, nine from Germany, six from Canada and two from India.
The luxury cruise ship, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, began its voyage on April 1 from Ushuaia in Argentina and is scheduled to arrive in the Canary Islands, Spain, on May 10.
The World Health Organization said five of the eight suspected hantavirus cases have been confirmed. A 69-year-old Dutch woman died after contracting the virus, while her husband and a German woman were also among the fatalities. Their cases are under investigation.
The agency said the outbreak does not indicate a pandemic. Maria van Kerkhove, an infectious disease epidemiologist at the WHO, said the virus spreads through “close, intimate contact” and differs from Covid-19 and influenza.
“This is not Covid, this is not influenza, it spreads very, very differently”.
She said authorities had asked “everyone to wear a mask” on board and advised those caring for suspected cases to “wear a higher level of personal protective equipment”.
The WHO said hantavirus typically spreads from rodents, but added that human-to-human transmission has been documented in this outbreak.
Health authorities are tracing passengers who disembarked from the vessel. Oceanwide Expeditions said 29 passengers from at least 12 nationalities left the ship at St Helena, including seven British nationals. One deceased passenger, identified as a Dutch man, was also taken off the vessel.
( Source : PTI )
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