Four Canadians are among the passengers aboard a cruise ship facing a suspected hantavirus outbreak, according to the ship's operator. Oceanwide Expeditions, the Dutch-based company, published a list of nationalities on Monday, confirming that four passengers are Canadian.
Crew Members Require Medical Attention
The company stated that two crew members are currently requiring medical attention. Reports indicate that one other person is in critical condition at a hospital in South Africa, and three other passengers have died. The two crew members are of British and Dutch nationality. No other individuals with symptoms have been identified at this time.
Support for Those Affected
Oceanwide Expeditions said it is in close contact with those directly involved and their families, providing support where possible. The three deceased individuals include a Dutch couple and a German national. Three others have fallen ill aboard the luxury cruise ship, which is currently held at a chain of islands off the coast of West Africa.
The MV Hondius, carrying 149 people, departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, in March and was headed for Cape Verde, with stops at the British islands of South Georgia and St. Helena.
Understanding Hantavirus
Hantavirus is primarily spread through contact with the urine, saliva, or feces of infected rodents. The World Health Organization confirmed at least one case of hantavirus and five additional suspected cases in a statement on Sunday. The virus gained attention last year after Betsy Arakawa, wife of late actor Gene Hackman, died from hantavirus infection in New Mexico. Hackman, who had Alzheimer's disease, died about a week later from heart disease.
This incident follows other recent cruise ship incidents, including a woman's body found after a balcony plunge on a Carnival Cruise ship and a crew member overboard from the Norwegian Breakaway.
