Ukraine to evacuate crew member from hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius
One of five Ukrainian nationals aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius — where an outbreak of Andes hantavirus has killed at least three people — will be evacuated by special flight to the Netherlands, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry told hromadske.
The remaining four Ukrainians are staying aboard as crew to help sail the vessel to the Netherlands, where they will be placed in medical quarantine upon arrival.
The ship's operator reported no signs of illness among any of the Ukrainian crew members on board.
Ukrainian consular officials are in contact with the crew member set to depart in the partial evacuation.
The case is under the direct oversight of Ukraine's Consular Service Department, the Ukrainian Embassy in the Netherlands, the Ukrainian Embassy in Spain, and the Ukrainian Consulate in Malaga.
Background on the MV Hondius outbreak
The MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged expedition vessel, departed Argentina on a three-week cruise that included stops in Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, and other destinations.
A 70-year-old Dutch man died suddenly aboard the ship, followed by his 69-year-old wife. At least three deaths had been confirmed as of May 4.
The World Health Organization confirmed hantavirus aboard the vessel. Hantavirus is a viral infection transmitted from animals to humans, most commonly through contact with rodents — including rats and mice — via their urine, droppings, or saliva.
Hantaviruses do not typically spread person-to-person. The Andes virus is the only known strain capable of human-to-human transmission, though such cases are rare. It is the Andes strain that was detected in at least five people aboard the MV Hondius.
The first known cases — the Dutch couple — had traveled to Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay for birdwatching, visiting areas home to rat species known to carry the Andes virus.
The ship carried 170 passengers and 71 crew members, including a physician. After the outbreak was identified, the ship anchored off Cabo Verde, an island nation off the western coast of Africa, with those aboard kept in isolation.
The vessel has since arrived in Tenerife. The WHO explained that Cabo Verde lacked the capacity to conduct the necessary medical assessments, and the Canary Islands were the nearest location with adequate facilities.