Two Indian Crew Members on Luxury Ship After Deadly Hantavirus Outbreak Kills Three
Two Indian crew members are among the 149 people on a luxury ship called the MV Hondius. This ship is currently facing a major health scare. A deadly virus called hantavirus has spread on the ship. So far, three passengers have died, and several others are sick.
The MV Hondius is a luxury expedition ship. It is run by a Dutch company called Oceanwide Expeditions. The company released a list of people on the ship. This list confirmed that two people from India are working as part of the crew. We do not know yet if the Indian crew members are sick or if they were near the infected passengers.
Details of People on the Ship
There are 149 people on the ship from 23 different countries. This includes both passengers and crew members. Most of the passengers are tourists. The crew members do different jobs to keep the ship running.
| Group | Nationalities Mentioned |
|---|---|
| Passengers | United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Spain |
| Crew Members | Philippines (38 people), Ukraine, Netherlands, Poland, India (2 people) |
The company said they will only give more updates after they check all the facts officially.
What is the Andes Strain of Hantavirus?
The virus found on the ship is the Andes strain of hantavirus. This is a very rare and very dangerous type of virus. Most hantaviruses do not spread from person to person, but the Andes strain can.
Experts say it does not spread easily through the air like a cold. It only spreads when people are very close to each other for a long time. This can happen if people share a small room, sleep in the same cabin, or if someone takes care of a sick person without wearing protective gear.
How the Outbreak Started
The MV Hondius started its journey from a city called Ushuaia in Argentina on April 1. Investigators think the virus started during a birdwatching trip in that city. They believe a couple from the Netherlands breathed in dust that had dried rodent droppings in it. The droppings carried the virus.
The couple did not feel sick at first. They got on the ship without knowing they were carrying the virus. Symptoms usually take time to show up.
Timeline of the Outbreak and Deaths
The situation became serious over several weeks. Here is a timeline of what happened on the ship:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 1 | The ship leaves Ushuaia, Argentina. |
| April 11 | The first passenger dies while the ship is at sea. |
| April 24 | The body of the first passenger is taken off the ship at St Helena. His wife leaves with him. |
| April 27 | The wife of the first passenger dies while traveling home. She was also from the Netherlands. |
| April 27 | Another passenger gets very sick and is flown to a hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. This person is in intensive care. |
| May 2 | A passenger from Germany dies on the ship. The World Health Organization (WHO) is informed. |
| May 6 | The WHO says the general risk to the public is low but warns about the long waiting period for symptoms. |
| May 11 | The date when passengers are expected to finally leave the ship. |
Current Location of the Ship
The ship was told to stop at Cape Verde after the deaths. It has now left Cape Verde and is sailing toward Tenerife. Tenerife is part of the Canary Islands in Spain. Three passengers who were very sick have already been taken to hospitals by air ambulances.
Health experts in Europe are also looking for 80 other people. These people traveled on a regular airplane with one of the victims before anyone knew about the virus. They want to make sure these people are safe.
What Health Experts Say
Maria Van Kerkhove is a director at the WHO. She said that the virus only spreads through “very close physical contact.” This includes sharing a bunk room or a cabin.
The head of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the risk to the general public is low. However, he is worried because the virus has an incubation period of up to six weeks. This means a person could have the virus but not feel sick for 42 days. Because of this, more people might get sick even after they go home.
Status of the Indian Crew
The two Indian crew members are still on the ship with the rest of the multinational team. There are 61 crew members in total. Most of them (38 people) are from the Philippines.
The shipping company has not said if the Indians have been tested for the virus. It is also not clear if they worked closely with the passengers who died. Health authorities are watching the ship closely to see if anyone else shows symptoms in the coming weeks.
FAQs
How many people died in the ship outbreak?
Three people have died. This includes a husband and wife from the Netherlands and one passenger from Germany.
Can hantavirus spread from person to person?
The Andes strain found on this ship can spread between humans, but only through very close physical contact like sharing a room.
Where is the ship going now?
The MV Hondius is heading to Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands. Passengers are expected to get off the ship on May 11.
How long does it take for symptoms to show?
The virus has an incubation period of up to six weeks. This means it can take 42 days for a person to feel sick after being exposed.
Are the Indian crew members sick?
There is currently no official information about the health condition of the two Indian crew members.
Conclusion
The hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius is a serious international health event. With three deaths and several people in the hospital, health officials are working hard to stop the spread. The presence of two Indian crew members on the ship adds to the concern for families in India. Everyone is waiting for the ship to reach Spain on May 11 for further medical checks.