A British crew member who is ill on the MV Hondius after a suspected rat-related virus outbreak is said to be the ship's doctor. Around 150 guests and crew, including 23 British nationals, are trapped on the cruise ship, which has been caught in the middle of a disease outbreak while sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde. The vessel, run by Oceanwide Expeditions, has been stuck in the Atlantic near Cape Verde while waiting for permission to approach after the deadly outbreak, which killed three people.
Now a passenger on board the cruise has claimed one of the ill crew members is the ship's doctor. Ann Lane, from Dublin, told the Irish Times that the 'ship's doctor and a member of the expedition staff are sick on board.' She said the doctor, described as a younger British man, had been 'fabulous' and 'treating everybody day and night.' He had reportedly been sick for 'quite a few days, maybe since last Thursday,' Ann said.
Uncertainty Over Docking Permission
Oceanwide Expeditions said in its latest update that its plan is to continue to either Gran Canaria or Tenerife in the Canary Islands after the evacuation of three individuals to the Netherlands. However, Spain has signalled that it might be hesitant to let the cruise dock in its territory. Spain's health ministry said it will decide where the ship can stop based on the analysis of epidemiological data collected on board during its stop in Cape Verde. 'Until then, the Ministry of Health will not make any decision, as we have already informed the WHO [World Health Organisation],' the ministry said.
Medical Evacuation Underway
Oceanwide Expeditions said in a statement on Tuesday evening: 'The medical evacuation of two individuals currently requiring urgent medical care, and the individual associated with the guest who passed away on 2 May, will occur using two specialized aircraft that are en route to Cape Verde. From here, the patients are to be medically evacuated to the Netherlands. At this stage, we do not have an exact timeline. Once these three individuals have been safely transferred from the vessel and are in transit to the Netherlands, the m/v Hondius will begin repositioning. Our plan is to proceed to the Canary Islands, either Gran Canaria or Tenerife, which will take 3 days of sailing. Discussions are ongoing with relevant authorities. This will be shared when concrete plans are available.'
The situation remains fluid as authorities work to contain the outbreak and ensure the safety of all aboard. The hantavirus, transmitted through rodent droppings, can cause severe respiratory illness. Passengers are urged to remain calm as medical teams coordinate evacuation efforts.
