TL;DR
- Passengers on the MV Hondius face a hantavirus outbreak.
- Three passengers have died, echoing Covid-19 fears.
- Cruisers recall their lockdown experiences from 2020.
- Passengers will quarantine upon returning to the U.S.
- Social media updates show passengers staying positive.
Hold onto your life vests, folks! The cruise industry is once again making headlines, but this time it’s not just about sun-soaked vacations and endless buffets. The MV Hondius is currently battling a deadly hantavirus outbreak, and passengers are feeling a sense of déjà vu as they recall their harrowing experiences from the Covid-19 pandemic. Talk about a cruise nightmare!
Three passengers from the Hondius have tragically died, two confirmed cases of the Andes strain of hantavirus and one probable. As the ship sails from Cape Verde to the Canary Islands, the U.S. State Department is scrambling to arrange flights for the 17 American passengers to a quarantine facility in Nebraska. Sounds familiar, right? Just like those early days of Covid-19 when cruisers were trapped in their cabins, fearing for their lives and sanity.
Bill Smedley, a passenger on the infamous Diamond Princess back in January 2020, shared his emotional rollercoaster with NBC News. “It sort of brought back terrible memories,” he said, recalling the fear and isolation that engulfed him and his wife when they were quarantined onboard. With over 700 infections and several deaths on the Diamond Princess, Smedley knows all too well the panic that comes with a viral outbreak on a cruise ship.
Unlike Covid-19, the hantavirus can be spread person-to-person but isn’t as easily transmitted through casual contact. However, the fatality rates can be alarmingly high, reaching up to 50%. Dr. Pablo Vial, an infectious disease specialist, warns that some patients can deteriorate rapidly, making this outbreak particularly concerning.
As the Hondius passengers hunker down, they’re finding ways to cope. Tyler and Rachel Torres, who were also on the Diamond Princess, shared their experience of being confined to their cabin, with food trays left outside their doors. “The general rule was that they would drop the tray at your door, but you weren’t allowed to open your door until they had walked away,” Tyler explained. Now, they’re offering advice to the current cruisers: “Find something to make the most of the situation.”
Meanwhile, social media is buzzing with updates from the Hondius. Passenger Jake Rosmarin posted an Instagram story, keeping spirits high as they sail towards the Canary Islands. “Still in good spirits and continuing en route,” he said. Another passenger, Kasem Ibn Hattuta, mentioned that many are keeping busy with reading and bird-watching. “The vibe on the ship might’ve been calm with a bit of concern,” he noted, but overall, they’re managing to stay positive.
As the ship approaches its destination, passengers will be expected to quarantine upon returning to the U.S. at the National Quarantine Unit in Nebraska. It’s a stark reminder of the challenges faced by travelers in the wake of health crises. With the Spanish Health Ministry implementing strict protocols for anyone who had close contact with confirmed cases, it’s clear that the specter of quarantine is still looming large over the cruise industry.
So, while the world may be opening up again, the haunting memories of past outbreaks linger on. Will the cruise industry ever fully recover, or will these health crises continue to cast a shadow over our beloved sea adventures? Only time will tell, but for now, let’s hope for smooth sailing ahead for the passengers on the Hondius.
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