Cruise Ship Passenger Shares Update Amid Hantavirus Concerns
A cruise ship passenger is speaking out as concerns rise during a hantavirus outbreak. Jake Rosmarin, a travel blogger from Boston, is currently on the Dutch ship M/V Hondius, part of a cruise that started in Argentina and was headed to Antarctica and other remote islands.
In a heartfelt video posted to Instagram on Monday, Rosmarin expressed, “All we want right now is to feel safe, to have clarity and to get home.”
On Tuesday, he provided an update, stating, “Besides the two passengers reported to be ill, everyone else onboard is doing well and remains in good spirits. We are hopeful that this situation will be resolved soon.”
Rosmarin thanked the crew of Oceanwide Expeditions for their dedicated efforts to keep passengers safe and informed during this troubling time. He noted that the M/V Hondius is not a typical cruise ship, but rather an expedition vessel, which follows strict health protocols, especially when traveling through ecologically sensitive areas.
“These ships have high cleanliness standards due to the sensitive environments they visit, which require careful monitoring,” he emphasized. “Suggesting that the ship is unclean is simply not true.”
He also mentioned that safety measures, such as social distancing and mask-wearing, are being strictly followed. Passengers can choose to have meals delivered to their cabins, and access to the outer decks is allowed for fresh air, while gatherings in indoor spaces like lounges are currently limited.
Additional medical supplies have been brought on board to ensure the well-being of passengers. Rosmarin remains optimistic that the situation will improve soon.
The M/V Hondius set sail on April 1, and the first reports of illness among passengers began on April 11. So far, there have been seven reported cases—two confirmed and five suspected—and three fatalities, with two crew members also falling ill. One passenger had to be evacuated for intensive care in South Africa.
Hantaviruses, mainly carried by rodents, can cause serious health issues in humans. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed it is investigating the outbreak and noted that while human-to-human transmission is rare, some close contacts may be affected. WHO stated there is no immediate public health risk.
As the ship remains off the coast of Cape Verde, Rosmarin and his fellow passengers continue to wait for further updates and support.
