Hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship with 38 Filipino crew: What we know so far

MANILA, Philippines – Following the deaths of three passengers, authorities are closely monitoring a suspected hantavirus outbreak on a Netherlands-flagged cruise ship, whose crew includes 38 Filipinos.

Hantavirus is a rare, viral infection acquired through direct contact with the urine, feces, or saliva of an infected rodent, and it can cause fatal respiratory illnesses. Human-to-human transmission is uncommon, but possible through close and prolonged contact.

There is no direct cure for it, so early detection and immediate medical care are essential.

On Monday, May 4, cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions said it is “dealing with a serious medical situation” aboard the MV Hondius, currently in quarantine off the coast of Cape Verde in Africa.

The operator listed a total of 149 people on board, including 87 passengers, 61 crew members, and one deceased passenger. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) tallied 147, with 88 passengers and 59 crew members.

Cape Verde authorities were prohibiting passengers from disembarking as of Monday.

No infected Filipino crew so far

Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary and Spokesperson Albert Domingo said on Tuesday, May 5, that none of the Filipino crew members are presently ill.

“Wala po silang sakit, wala po kaming naririnig [or] nababalitaan, so far. In close coordination po tayo [with the concerned authorities],” Domingo announced.

(They have no illness, we haven’t heard any news of Filipinos getting sick, so far. We’re in close coordination with the concerned authorities.)

He added that there has been no case of hantavirus recorded in the Philippines, and assured Filipinos that there is no reason to be alarmed.

“Mahalaga po ang paghahanda nito ng DOH [at ng] ating Bureau of Quarantine. Sa utos ng Pangulo, binabantayan po natin ang sitwasyon,” Domingo said.

(The preparations of the DOH and our Bureau of Quarantine are crucial. Upon the President’s orders, we’re monitoring the situation.)

The Department of Migrant Workers has yet to comment regarding the welfare of the 38 Filipino crew members. Rappler will update this story once the DMW issues a statement.

Timeline of deaths, illnesses

According to Oceanwide Expeditions and WHO reports, the MV Hondius left Argentina on April 1 and planned several stops across the South Atlantic Ocean.

By April 6, a Dutch male exhibited symptoms of fever, headache, and mild diarrhea. He eventually died of respiratory distress on April 11.

His body was repatriated to Saint Helena, part of the British Overseas Territory, only on April 24. His wife, also a passenger on the ship, accompanied his remains.

On April 27, the wife died after exhibiting gastrointestinal symptoms, and the Netherlands later confirmed she was infected with hantavirus. It has not been confirmed if the husband had the same infection.

On April 24, a British passenger fell severely ill with signs of pneumonia and was medically evacuated to South Africa, where he is in intensive care. Laboratory tests confirmed on Saturday, May 2, that he was infected with hantavirus.

Also last Saturday, a third fatality was recorded when a German female died of suspected pneumonia.

Additionally, two crew members, British and Dutch nationals, were experiencing acute respiratory symptoms as of Monday and requiring urgent medical assistance.

In a Reuters report, one of the passengers was quoted as expressing distress online: “What’s happening right now is very real for all of us…. We’re not just headlines. We’re people with families, with lives, with people waiting for us at home.”

Assessment, next steps

In a Monday report, the WHO said it has been working closely with concerned nations on the investigation and next steps, including medical evaluations, laboratory testing, and providing logistic support.

“The outbreak is being managed through coordinated international response, and includes in-depth investigations, case isolation and care, medical evacuation, and laboratory investigations,” the report read.

The WHO also said that the risk of a global hantavirus outbreak is low, and added that it will “continue to monitor the epidemiological situation and update the risk assessment as more information becomes available.”

Oceanwide Expeditions is considering sailing to Spain’s Canary Islands so passengers and crew can finally disembark.

“Strict precautionary measures are in process on board, including isolation measures, hygiene protocols, and medical monitoring. All passengers have been informed and are being supported,” it said. – Rappler.com