Seven British passengers disembarked from the MV Hondius ship following the initial fatality, as per recent updates on the ill-fated journey. The cruise company reported that 30 travelers left the vessel on St Helena on April 24 after the first death onboard. Among them, two Britons are currently in isolation in the UK after potential exposure to the virus.
The tragic outbreak on the ship has claimed the lives of three passengers so far, with one Briton still in critical condition in South Africa after testing positive for the virus. Another individual, a former police officer working as a guide on the ship, is undergoing treatment in Amsterdam.
Oceanwide Expeditions, in a statement released on Thursday, disclosed that the MV Hondius departed Cape Verde on Wednesday en route to Granadilla in Tenerife, with an expected travel duration of 3-4 days. The company reassured that no symptomatic individuals are onboard and confirmed ongoing coordination with relevant authorities regarding arrival protocols, screening procedures, and quarantine measures.
The ship’s operators confirmed that a total of 114 passengers embarked from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, with 30 disembarking on Saint Helena on April 24. Efforts are underway to track all passengers and crew who boarded or left the MV Hondius since March 20.
One of the hospitalized Britons, identified as Martin Anstee, 56, expressed his condition as “stable” while awaiting test results in Amsterdam. Anstee, a wildlife photographer, described the journey as a dream experience before falling ill and being evacuated for medical attention.
Health authorities in multiple countries are actively tracing contacts of the ship passengers. The Dutch ministry confirmed the deaths of three individuals, including a Dutch man and his wife who succumbed to the virus. Investigations are ongoing into the potential source of the hantavirus infection, with suspicions pointing to a bird-watching excursion near the ship’s dock in Ushuaia.
Travel blogger Jake Rosmarin shared updates on the passengers’ progress towards the Canary Islands, highlighting the need for medical care and testing once they arrive. He dispelled misinformation about the ship’s conditions and emphasized the stringent hygiene measures in place.
In the United States, individuals in several states are under observation for possible hantavirus infections, although no cases have been confirmed yet. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent further spread of the virus.