A British doctor who was evacuated from a cruise ship following a deadly Hantavirus outbreak is currently in a stable but serious condition. The virus, which has claimed the lives of three passengers, is believed to have been brought on board by a Dutch couple who had gone bird watching. The couple, who had traveled in Argentina before the cruise, visited a landfill during their bird-watching excursion, potentially exposing themselves to rodents carrying the virus.
Authorities in Argentina investigating the outbreak revealed that the Dutch couple likely contracted the virus during their bird-watching trip before boarding the ship. Prior to this incident, the region had not reported any cases of Hantavirus, which is more commonly found in rural areas.
Among the passengers on the ship traveling from Argentina to Cape Verde were 19 British nationals and four British crew members. Eight individuals on the ship were exposed to the virus, resulting in three deaths and three others in serious condition. One man tested positive for the virus after leaving the ship, and a 69-year-old British passenger remains in intensive care in Johannesburg.
Recently, three individuals, including the British doctor and a Dutch crew member, were medically evacuated from the ship and flown to a medical facility in the Netherlands. The ship’s passengers had initially described their voyage as extraordinary, enjoying sightings of rare wildlife before the virus outbreak occurred.
The filmmaker Ruhi Cenet, who was on board, criticized the ship’s management for not taking immediate action after the first death. He highlighted the lack of quarantine measures and emphasized the need for blood tests before embarking on long journeys.
Oceanwide Expeditions, the cruise operator, responded to the video circulating on social media, stating that they followed proper procedures after the first death and that no evidence of a virus or contagion was present at the time of the announcement.
As the situation unfolds, passengers remain confined to their cabins, engaging in activities like reading and watching movies. Health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with plans for repatriation of non-Spanish passengers and quarantine measures for Spanish passengers upon reaching Tenerife. The World Health Organization reassured the public that the risk of transmission remains low, emphasizing the seriousness of the infectious disease.
Efforts are underway to ensure the safe return of all passengers, with governments coordinating medical evacuations and support for their nationals. The Foreign Office is actively assisting British nationals on board the ship and remains in close communication with international partners to address the evolving situation.