A British man fell seriously ill after contracting Hantavirus while on a cruise ship, calling it a memorable journey before boarding the ill-fated MV Hondius. Martin Anstee, a 56-year-old retired police officer, is currently isolated in a hospital in the Netherlands after being evacuated from the ship. He was one of three individuals airlifted from the vessel due to a suspected Hantavirus outbreak that has been linked to three deaths.
Reports indicate that 30 passengers disembarked from the MV Hondius on April 24 in St Helena following the first reported death onboard. Among those passengers were seven Britons, with only two of them currently in isolation in the UK. Authorities in South Africa and Europe are now working to trace the contacts of these passengers who disembarked the ship.
The tragic events began with the death of a 69-year-old Dutch man on April 11, followed by the death of his wife on April 25 in South Africa after showing symptoms of Hantavirus. Subsequently, a Dutch flight attendant who had contact with the deceased woman in South Africa also displayed mild symptoms and is being tested while in isolation. Another passenger, a German national, passed away on May 2.
Martin Anstee, who was part of the guide team for the cruise, expressed his excitement for the trip that started in Argentina on April 1. However, he fell seriously ill along with three other passengers on the ship due to the Hantavirus outbreak. Anstee and the others were evacuated to the Netherlands for treatment. Authorities in Argentina are investigating the possibility that the Dutch couple who first died contracted the virus during a bird-watching trip near a port where infected rats may have been present.
In a positive update, a US travel blogger mentioned that they are en route to the Canary Islands, hoping to access the necessary medical care before returning home. The blogger also clarified misinformation circulating online about the ship, emphasizing its high cleaning standards and biosecurity protocols.
In the US, individuals in at least three states are being monitored for potential Hantavirus infections, although none have shown signs of illness so far.