Two vials of hantavirus went missing from an Australian laboratory two years before the outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship that has left three people dead. The disappearance of 300 vials in 2024 was initially attributed to a transfer to a new freezer, but an investigation later concluded that the two vials containing hantavirus were likely destroyed rather than stolen. The disease has proven deadly over the last few weeks following an outbreak on the MV Hondius.
Outbreak on MV Hondius
A husband and wife, both 69 years old from Denmark, developed the rodent-borne virus and brought it aboard the ship after visiting the city of Ushuaia, Argentina. Argentine authorities believe the Dutch couple may have contracted the virus during a birdwatching trip near Ushuaia, where they visited a landfill site and were potentially exposed to infected rodents before boarding the ship. The virus is the Andes strain, the only hantavirus strain known to spread between humans through close contact. The World Health Organization says the overall risk remains low, but the situation is being closely monitored.
Deaths and Illnesses
The husband died on April 11 after suffering flu symptoms for five days. His body went ashore at Saint Helena on April 24 alongside his wife, who later fell ill and died in Johannesburg on April 26. A German national also died on the ship on May 2. A British crew member, Martin Anstree, a 56-year-old former police officer turned wildlife photographer, was evacuated from the ship and is being treated in the Netherlands. He told Sky News from the hospital: 'I'm doing OK. I'm not feeling too bad. There are still lots of tests to be done. I have no idea how long I'll be in the hospital for. I'm in isolation at the moment.'
British Nationals Affected
Three British nationals are confirmed or suspected of having hantavirus. One is being treated in South Africa, one in the Netherlands, and one in Tristan da Cunha. Seven Brits disembarked the ship at St Helena following the first death; four remain there and have been located. Two Brits who disembarked have been located in the UK and are self-isolating. One person has not yet been traced. Martin Anstree's wife, Nicola, told the Telegraph it had been 'a very traumatic few days' and added: 'He's relieved to be off the ship. He had it quite mild then it got a bit more serious and now he's stable again. The fear with this virus is it can deteriorate very quickly so it's been a bit up and down for him. I don't believe he's in imminent danger now but it was horrible.'
