Passengers Reflect on New Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship
Recent reports of deadly hantavirus outbreaks aboard cruise ships evoke haunting memories for passengers previously confined to their cabins during the initial days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Tragedy struck as three passengers aboard the MV Hondius succumbed to illnesses related to the Andean hantavirus, with two cases confirmed and one suspected. Currently, the ship is en route from Cape Verde off the coast of West Africa to the Canary Islands.
The U.S. State Department announced on Friday that it is arranging transport for 17 American passengers to a quarantine facility in Nebraska. After arriving in the Spanish-controlled Canary Islands on Sunday, evacuations are set to begin on Monday.
Similar to the situation aboard the Hondius, the Diamond Princess faced a COVID-19 outbreak mere weeks after its voyage commenced in January 2020. As the virus spread, the vacation for Bill Smedley, who was celebrating his wife’s birthday, quickly turned into a nightmare filled with fear and isolation.
“We were unprepared for the gravity of our situation. It felt like a traumatic experience repeating itself,” remarked Smedley, 72, from Dillsburg, Pennsylvania. His reflections capture the unnerving sentiment shared by many.
The Andean strain of hantavirus can be transmitted from person to person and is typically found in Argentina, where the Hondius departed on April 1. While not as easily spread as COVID-19, this dangerous virus can severely affect vital organs, leading to a staggering fatality rate of 50%, according to experts.
Symptoms may initially appear mild but can escalate rapidly to respiratory distress. Dr. Pablo Vial, an infectious disease specialist from Chile, indicated that some patients may begin to show symptoms within hours of infection.
Past Experiences Resurface for Former Diamond Princess Passengers
Bill Smedley and his wife, Colette, embarked on a 28-day cruise in January 2020 to celebrate her birthday, initially enjoying visits to Japan, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. However, they faced confinement when someone tested positive for the coronavirus just two weeks into their journey.
“On Monday morning, we were informed we couldn’t disembark as planned, and the following day we were instructed to remain in our cabin,” Bill Smedley recounted. With the number of positive cases rising, strict safety protocols were enforced, trapping passengers in lockdown for an extended period.
“Everyone was frightened. The tension was palpable; no one spoke, and we were all masked and gloved,” he said, recalling those unsettling days.
Rachel and Tyler Torres, also aboard the Diamond Princess for their honeymoon, experienced a similarly grim situation. To minimize contact, staff delivered meals by placing trays outside their cabin doors, enforcing strict isolation measures.
Impending Quarantine for Hondius Passengers
Similar to their experiences, passengers aboard the Hondius will face quarantines upon returning to the United States. They will be moved to the National Quarantine Unit at Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, known for its biocontainment unit that previously treated Ebola patients and another Diamond Princess case.
Spain’s Ministry of Health has outlined protocols for those who traveled on the Hondius from April 1 to May 10 or who had close contacts with confirmed cases. These individuals will undergo active surveillance while quarantined at a military hospital in Madrid.
Travel expert Jeanne Sloan, who experienced her own quarantine on a cruise ship in November 2020, empathizes with the Hondius passengers. “The size and closeness of the cabins amplify the feelings of confinement,” she noted, reflecting on the challenges faced during such experiences.
Current Conditions on the Hondius
Passengers on the Hondius are making the most of their situation by updating families and the public via social media. Traveler Jake Rosmarin reported that the ship continues its journey to the Canary Islands, while fellow passenger Qasem ibn Hattuta noted that many on board were engaged in reading, movie-watching, and enjoying warm beverages.
Despite the underlying concern for the health of those experiencing symptoms, Hattuta described the atmosphere as relatively calm, with passengers taking precautions while enjoying fresh air on the deck and practicing social distancing.
The outbreak is believed to have originated from a birdwatching excursion from Argentina to Cape Verde. “We are maintaining a positive spirit, and despite the circumstances, everyone remains upbeat,” Hattuta shared, offering a hopeful perspective amid uncertainty.
