ATLANTIC OCEAN — The Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed that 38 Filipino crew members aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius are currently safe and showing no signs of illness, despite a suspected hantavirus outbreak on the vessel. The ship, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, is currently stationary and under strict quarantine off the coast of Cabo Verde in the central Atlantic.
The situation gained international attention after the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a cluster of severe respiratory illnesses among the ship’s passengers, leading to three confirmed deaths.
The MV Hondius was traveling from Argentina toward West Africa when several individuals began showing symptoms including fever, pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress.
- Casualties: Three passengers have died, including a Dutch couple and a German national.
- Current Cases: As of early May, there are two laboratory-confirmed cases of hantavirus and five additional suspected cases.
- Filipino Contingent: Despite making up a significant portion of the 61-member crew, all 38 Filipinos have tested negative or remain asymptomatic.
DOH spokesperson Undersecretary Albert Domingo calmed public fears during a recent briefing, stating that the risk of the virus reaching local shores is “extremely low.”
“The good news is that our fellow Filipinos on board are healthy. We are in close coordination with the WHO and international health authorities,” Domingo said. He emphasized that hantavirus is a rare disease typically contracted through contact with infected rodent droppings or urine, rather than casual human-to-human contact, though the WHO is investigating the possibility of limited transmission in this specific cluster.
The Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) is on high alert under directives from President Marcos Jr. to monitor the status of the affected seafarers. While the primary responsibility for bringing the crew home lies with the ship’s operator, the Philippine government has pledged to assist in the process once the quarantine period is lifted.
The cruise operator is currently considering moving the vessel to Spain for more extensive medical screening and disembarkation, though no final decision has been made.