The World Health Organisation has confirmed eight cases linked to the deadly virus outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, as disturbing accounts emerged from passengers claiming social distancing measures were introduced only days ago, despite mounting deaths on board.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said five cases had been confirmed, with a further three classed as suspected infections.
The vessel has become the focus of an international health scare after multiple passengers contracted the rare Andes hantavirus — a disease linked to rodents that can cause severe respiratory illness and organ failure. Three people have now died.
Dr Tedros told reporters: “Last Saturday, the United Kingdom notified WHO, under the International Health Regulations, of a cluster of passengers with severe respiratory illness on a Dutch-flagged cruise ship the MV Hondius, which had travelled from Argentina to Cape Verde.
“So far, eight cases have been reported, including three deaths. Five of the eight cases have been confirmed as hantavirus, and the other three are suspected.”
The Dutch-operated expedition ship had been travelling from Ushuaia in Argentina towards Cape Verde when the outbreak unfolded.
Dr Tedros warned that further infections could yet emerge because the incubation period for Andes virus can last up to six weeks.
“Given the incubation period of the Andes Virus, which can be up to six weeks, it’s possible that more cases may be reported,” he said.
“While this is a serious incident, WHO assesses the public health risk low.”
A French passenger still aboard the ship described an atmosphere of growing unease, claiming that communal dining continued for days and staff even organised a large barbecue despite the outbreak, LBC reported.
“People are not panicking, but you can feel that it is starting to weigh on you,” the passenger told French broadcaster BFM TV.
“We all eat together at the restaurant. There’s social distancing, but it’s only been in place for three days.
“There was a big barbecue on the boat, as if nothing had happened.”
The comments are likely to intensify scrutiny of how the outbreak was managed onboard.
Argentinian officials believe the outbreak may have begun after a Dutch couple visited a rubbish dump during a bird-watching excursion before boarding the ship.
A 70-year-old Dutch passenger died on April 11. His body reportedly remained aboard until April 24, when it was removed during a stop at Saint Helena.
His wife accompanied the repatriation but later fell ill during a flight to South Africa. She died on April 26 shortly after arriving at a hospital in Johannesburg.
Another passenger, a German national, died aboard the ship on May 2.
Health officials are now tracing at least 69 passengers who travelled on the same flights as the Dutch woman before her death.
The WHO said authorities in South Africa are tracing contacts linked to two cases there, including a British passenger currently in intensive care.
Maria Van Kerkhove said the British patient was showing signs of improvement.
“And then there is another case that is currently in ICU in South Africa, and this person is doing better as we understand,” she said.
She added that officials were tracing not only passengers from the flights but also airport staff and medical workers who may have come into contact with infected travellers.
Two additional patients — understood to include another Briton — remain hospitalised in the Netherlands, where officials said their condition was stable.
Dr Van Kerkhove emphasised that Andes hantavirus spreads very differently from Covid-19 or influenza, seeking to calm fears of a wider pandemic threat.
“This is not COVID, this is not influenza, it spreads very, very differently,” she said.
She noted that transmission risks are believed to be highest through close exposure to infected bodily fluids or certain aerosol-generating medical procedures.
The MV Hondius is expected to arrive in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on Saturday, where health authorities are preparing for further screening and medical assessments.
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