A US travel blogger has shared an emotional video plea from aboard the MV Hondius, where passengers are confined due to a suspected hantavirus outbreak. This outbreak has already claimed three lives, making it one of the most serious health incidents on a cruise ship in recent years. The Dutch-operated vessel is currently off the coast of Cape Verde, awaiting permission to proceed to the Canary Islands. The World Health Organization has confirmed seven cases linked to the voyage, including three deaths and one critically ill passenger.
Jake Rosmarin, a travel influencer with over 50,000 Instagram followers, posted the video to express the distress felt by those on board. He emphasised that the situation is very real for everyone involved. “We’re not just a story or headlines,” he said. “We’re people with families and lives, waiting to return home.” Rosmarin highlighted the uncertainty as one of the hardest aspects of the ordeal. He urged viewers to remember the real people affected by this crisis.
The MV Hondius set sail from Ushuaia, Argentina, on 20th March 2026, for a lengthy voyage that included stops in Antarctica, South Georgia, and remote South Atlantic islands before heading to Europe. The ship carried around 149 passengers from 23 countries, including British, American, and Spanish nationals. Serious illnesses were first reported during the journey, prompting authorities to ask passengers to remain in their cabins while investigations continue. Medical teams are closely monitoring anyone showing symptoms.
So far, three passengers have died. Oceanwide Expeditions confirmed the deaths of a Dutch couple and a German passenger. A British passenger was evacuated and is in intensive care in Johannesburg after testing positive for hantavirus. The Dutch man reportedly experienced fever, headaches, stomach pain, and diarrhoea before dying after reaching Saint Helena. His wife was later evacuated to South Africa, where she also passed away. Two crew members, including a British national, have shown acute respiratory symptoms and are expected to be medically evacuated.
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