Hantavirus outbreak on MV Hondius: Four Ukrainian crew members to remain aboard cruise liner
Four of the five Ukrainian crew members aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, where a hantavirus outbreak occurred, will remain on board to help deliver the vessel to the Netherlands, while one Ukrainian citizen will be evacuated on a special flight. No signs of illness have currently been detected among the Ukrainians.
According to Ukrinform, this was reported to journalists by the press service of Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“According to the ship’s operator, four Ukrainian citizens will remain on board as part of the crew to ensure the vessel’s transfer to the Netherlands. Upon arrival, they are expected to be sent to a medical facility for quarantine,” the ministry said.
Another Ukrainian crew member is expected to leave the vessel as part of a partial crew evacuation by special flight to the Netherlands. Ukrainian consular officials remain in contact with him.
“At present, no symptoms of the disease have been recorded among Ukrainian citizens,” the ministry’s press service noted.
The ministry also stressed that the case remains under special supervision by the Consular Service Department of the Foreign Ministry, the Embassy of Ukraine in the Netherlands, the Embassy of Ukraine in Spain, and the Ukrainian consulate in Malaga.
As previously reported by Ukrinform, a hantavirus outbreak occurred aboard the MV Hondius in the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in three deaths. According to the vessel’s route published on its website, the ship departed from Ushuaia on March 20 and was scheduled to complete its voyage on May 4 in Cape Verde.
South African Health Ministry spokesperson Foster Mohale said there were around 150 tourists from various countries on board the ship.
Two passengers from the Hondius cruise ship were officially confirmed to have contracted hantavirus after being evacuated to the Netherlands.
A Swiss citizen who traveled to South America aboard the cruise ship where the hantavirus outbreak occurred tested positive for the virus after returning home and is currently receiving treatment.
On May 10, the MV Hondius arrived at a port on the Spanish island of Tenerife.
Photo: AA