Travel blogger Jake Rosmarin, based in Boston, is one of approximately 100 individuals onboard the m/v Hondius, a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean currently experiencing a severe hantavirus outbreak. In an emotional TikTok video, Rosmarin appealed to those outside to keep in mind the passengers’ “uncertainty.” “What is occurring is very real for us at this moment,” Rosmarin stated. “We’re not merely a story, we’re not just headlines; we are individuals, individuals with families, with lives, and with loved ones awaiting our return home.”
Prior to the start of the 35-day voyage from Argentina, Rosmarin created a video tour of the ship, showcasing the dining hall, bridge, outer decks, and his cabin.
The condition of the ship
Three passengers aboard the Hondius, which departed from Argentina on April 11 bound for Cape Verde, have succumbed to hantavirus, typically contracted through contact with rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. According to NBC News, the illness is believed to have disseminated during a birdwatching trip.
The World Health Organization has confirmed five cases of the virus. This specific strain, referred to as the Andes strain, is capable of spreading between individuals.
Following the emergence of initial infections, 30 individuals, including the spouse of a deceased passenger, disembarked on April 24 in St. Helena. The body of her husband was also taken off the ship. Reports indicate that no contact tracing was carried out in St. Helena.
The unnamed widow traveled to Johannesburg and attempted to return to Amsterdam but was removed from her flight prior to its departure for Europe. She has since passed away.
Numerous individuals who disembarked in St. Helena are now located in the U.S., particularly in California, Arizona, Texas, Georgia, and Virginia. WHO officials have stated that the outbreak “does not mark the beginning of a new pandemic or epidemic,” according to NBC News.
The Hondius is en route to the Canary Islands, expected to arrive within three to four days, but the president of the Spanish-controlled islands is opposing the ship’s docking there. Oceanwide Expeditions, the operator of the Hondius, reported that no one on board is presently symptomatic.
WHO guidelines
On Wednesday, the WHO provided essential information regarding hantavirus:
– Hantaviruses are transmitted by rodents and can result in severe illnesses in humans.
– Infection typically occurs through contact with contaminated rodents or their urine, feces, or saliva.
– The disease can lead to serious health issues and fatalities.
– In the Americas, hantaviruses can lead to hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a severe respiratory condition, with a fatality rate of up to 50%.
– The Andes virus, prevalent in South America, shows limited human-to-human transmission.
– In Europe and Asia, hantaviruses are associated with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).
Hantavirus symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
Symptoms may manifest one to eight weeks following exposure and can include fatigue, fever, headache, muscle pain, abdominal discomfort, nausea, or vomiting.
The WHO warns that early diagnosis is challenging since initial symptoms resemble those of influenza, pneumonia, and COVID. Health professionals cited by NBC News indicate that the Andes strain is not transmitted as easily as influenza or COVID.
Hantavirus can lead to pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which impacts the lungs, and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), affecting the kidneys. HPS carries a greater risk, with a fatality rate of 38%, as reported by USA Today, while HFRS has a fatality rate ranging from 1% to 15%.
According to the CDC, there is no specific treatment or vaccine available. “Patients should receive supportive care, including rest, hydration, and management of symptoms,” the agency advises.
If exposure is suspected
Put on a face mask and proceed to the nearest hospital or medical facility without delay.