Footage shows passengers on the MV Hondius learning of the death of one of their fellow tourists, and others have since died following the hantavirus outbreak.
This is the moment passengers on the hantavirus-affected cruise ship were told the environment was “not infectious” after the first death.
Staff aboard the Dutch MV Hondius gathered passengers to inform them of the death of a fellow tourist in the incident linked to the deadly outbreak. Three passengers have died on board after it left Argentina and began crossing the Atlantic about a month ago.
“It is my sad duty to inform you that one of our passengers sadly passed away last night,” a staff member aboard the ship told passengers after the first death. “As tragic as it is, we believe it was due to natural causes and whatever the problems, the doctor told me they were not infectious.
“Therefore, the ship is safe in this regard. Of course, it is a very, very sad circumstance that will have an effect on our operation.
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“The ship is safe,” said a staff member on board the ship. “This gentleman unfortunately succumbed to natural causes. We will do everything possible to continue in a safe and dignified manner.”
About 150 people from 23 countries remain on the stranded ship near Cape Verde, off the coast of West Africa. Health officials are now testing passengers to see how far it has spread.
Three other passengers presenting with hantavirus symptoms were evacuated from the ship to receive treatment in the Netherlands, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced today. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the overall risk to the public remains low.
He added: “Monitoring and tracking of passengers on board and those who have already disembarked has begun.”
Spanish officials said the ship could sail to the Canary Islands, although its president Fernando Clavijo criticized the move from Madrid. And he added: “I cannot allow [the MV Hondius] to enter the Canary Islands.
“This decision is not based on any technical criteria nor have we been provided with sufficient information.”
