Working Conditions Aboard the Hondius

Captain Jan Dobrogowski, who leads the expedition vessel 'Hondius', has successfully tested negative for the haabtavirus, paving the way for his anticipated return to Poland. As of May 22, the captain has received three consecutive negative test results and is exhibiting no symptoms of the virus. Authorities plan to transport him back to Poland shortly, likely by car, where he will be placed in an isolation unit at the Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine located in Gdynia, a northern city in Poland. Throughout this process, Polish officials have maintained constant communication with Captain Dobrogowski, the Polish consulate in the Netherlands, and Dutch authorities to ensure a smooth transition. Meanwhile, the 'Hondius' is currently undergoing thorough disinfection procedures in Rotterdam, Netherlands, to ensure the safety and health of its crew and future passengers.

In a concerning development, a crew member from the 'Hondius' has become the latest individual to test positive for hantavirus, as confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 22. The Dutch national, who disembarked in Tenerife, has been under isolation in the Netherlands since being repatriated. This new case elevates the total number of infections linked to the ongoing outbreak on the 'Hondius' to twelve. At present, the only individuals remaining aboard the vessel are crew members, all of whom were subjected to testing for the virus upon arrival. To ensure their safety, these crew members are currently isolating in mobile homes, which have been equipped with food supplies and satellite communication facilities.

On the evening of May 18 at 10:26 p.m., a specialized funeral service undertook the solemn task of removing the body of a deceased German tourist from the vessel 'Hondius.' The woman succumbed to complications associated with a hantavirus infection, prompting the implementation of stringent health protocols for both transport and handling personnel. This precaution was necessary because the hantavirus can remain viable in human tissue post-mortem. Upon removal, the body was swiftly conveyed to a crematorium located near Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, where cremation took place without delay. Following this, the ashes were returned to the family, ensuring a respectful disposal in light of health concerns that mandated no viewing of the deceased. The burial arrangements were executed in close collaboration with regional health authorities. Later that same day, 22 out of the remaining 27 crew members, along with the medical staff from 'Hondius,' disembarked. Although the crew had shown no symptoms thus far, many were required to undergo quarantine procedures in a designated container village ashore for additional safety.

On May 18 at 10 a.m., the adventure cruise ship 'Hondius' made its highly anticipated arrival at Hoek van Holland, en route to the Port of Rotterdam. The vessel had faced previous delays, yet it successfully docked at Caland Pier no. 7 in the Landtong van Rozenburg at 10:45 a.m. Following its arrival, 23 crew members were placed in quarantine, located approximately eight kilometers from residential areas, adhering to the guidelines set by the Municipality of Rotterdam. This measure ensures public health safety near Calandsteiger 7, with the two remaining Dutch nationals on board given the liberty to quarantine at home. Among the quarantined crew are 17 Filipino members who will reside in portable cabins for the upcoming weeks. Both the ship’s doctor and nurse are exempt from isolation as they adhered to precautionary protocols. As part of the disembarkation process, crew members were tested for the hantavirus in small groups prior to entering quarantine. Tragically, the body of a German woman, who passed away aboard the ship, was planned for removal later that evening by a specialized funeral director for cremation at a facility near Schiphol Airport. In a collaborative effort involving the Port of Rotterdam Authority, GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond, RIVM, the Rotterdam-Rijnmond Safety Region, and Oceanwide Expeditions, a comprehensive cleaning and disinfection process was initiated by EWS Group from Werkendam, commencing on May 19 in the Europoort area, with expectations for completion by May 22. Notably, one passenger from the ship has tested positive for the Andes variant of the hantavirus while in quarantine in British Columbia, Canada. The individual and their partner are currently under observation in a hospital due to mild symptoms. For further insights and updates, check the reports and images available at these sources: https://www.schuttevaer.nl/nieuws/actueel/2026/05/18/liveblog-haven-rotterdam-klaar-voor-aankomst-cruiseschip-hondius/ https://openrotterdam.nl/cruiseschip-hondius-met-hantavirus-aangemeerd-in-rotterdamse-haven/ https://www.rijnmond.nl/nieuws/2196362/aankomst-besmet-schip-hondius-in-rotterdam-is-wereldnieuws https://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/hanta-cruiseschip-hondius-is-aangekomen-in-de-rotterdamse-haven-omvangrijke-test-en-schoonmaakoperatie-van-start/151646979.html https://www.standaard.be/nieuws/voor-het-oog-van-cameras-uit-de-hete-wereld-meert-de-geplaagde-hondius-aan-in-de-gastvrije-haven-van-rotterdam/152013560.html https://www.noordhollandsdagblad.nl/binnenland/cruiseschip-hondius-meert-aan-in-haven-rotterdam/151947569.html https://cmd-leeuwarden.nl/nieuws/bemanning-van-cruiseschip-verlaat-schip-na-mogelijk-hantavirusinfectie-lichaam-gecremeerd-in-nederland/

A growing health concern has emerged following the evacuation of the 'Hondius', a cruise ship navigating Spanish waters in the North Atlantic on May 13. A French passenger infected with hantavirus has been reported in critical condition and is currently on a ventilator at Bichat Hospital in Paris. Medical professionals are utilizing the device to ease the burden on her lungs and heart, allowing for possible recovery. As of now, the outbreak has escalated, with 11 cases documented, including nine that have been confirmed through laboratory testing, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). In response to the alarming situation, Italy and Great Britain have implemented additional precautionary measures. In Italy, two individuals—a tourist from Argentina and a resident from Calabria—are undergoing tests for potential hantavirus infection after exposure to affected areas or infected persons. On the other hand, 22 British passengers from the 'Hondius', along with one German citizen residing in the UK and a Japanese national, were discharged from Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside on May 13. These individuals spent 72 hours in isolation and are now transitioning into a mandatory 42-day self-isolation at their homes. Upon their arrival in the UK, they were reported to be healthy and asymptomatic. The British government has made the decision to repatriate ten nationals who had been in remote territories or had contact with confirmed cases in British areas of the South Atlantic, specifically the islands of Saint Helena and Ascension. The infected passengers aboard the 'Hondius' had traveled through the South Atlantic, visiting various locations during their journey from Argentina to Cape Verde.

The Dutch-flagged cruise ship 'Hondius' has received clearance to dock at a port in the Canary Islands, according to the Spanish Ministry of Health. This decision, made in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union, aligns with international health protocols and humanitarian obligations. However, Fernando Clavijo, the president of the Canary Islands and a member of the conservative Partido Popular, expressed his intent to block the docking, citing inadequate assurances for public safety given the Hantavirus threat. Clavijo has reportedly sought an urgent discussion with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez regarding the matter. As of May 6, the 'Hondius' was anchored near Cape Verde with seven confirmed infections onboard. Notably, two of the infected individuals harbor the Andean variant of Hantavirus, known for its person-to-person transmission under close contact. Among the sick are two passengers displaying severe symptoms, necessitating their evacuation. The WHO is also monitoring a potential third case, linked to a symptomatic individual with a mild fever. The expected evacuation of three patients was planned for May 6, with reports indicating a man diagnosed with Hantavirus currently receiving treatment in Zurich. The timeline surrounding his departure from the ship remains unspecified. Meanwhile, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is thoroughly assessing the situation aboard the 'Hondius' to identify passengers requiring immediate evacuation from Cape Verde. The specific port of call for the ship has yet to be finalized, but upon arrival, both crew and passengers will go through health evaluations and receive necessary medical care before returning home. Unfortunately, the ongoing situation has resulted in the deaths of three passengers, including a Dutch couple and a woman from Passau. The WHO has identified a total of seven cases linked to this outbreak, believed to have originated from the Dutch couple, who possibly contracted the virus while in Argentina. Updates and visuals concerning the event can be found in multiple news sources reporting on this critical situation.

In a devastating turn of events, three individuals have lost their lives following a suspected Hantavirus outbreak aboard the expedition vessel 'Hondius', which was traveling from Ushuaia to the Cape Verde Islands. Among the deceased is an elderly woman, aged 78, hailing from Passau. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a single laboratory case of hantavirus infection while five others are currently categorized as suspected infections. The unfortunate incidents began when a 70-year-old Dutch man experienced severe symptoms, including fever, headache, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. He tragically passed away upon arrival in St. Helena on April 11, 2026. His wife, aged 69, also became ill during the voyage and collapsed at O.R. Tambo Airport in Johannesburg on their return to the Netherlands. Sadly, she succumbed to her illness in a Johannesburg hospital on April 27. A further casualty, a German passenger, was reported aboard the ship on May 3. In addition, a 69-year-old British national is currently being treated in intensive care in Johannesburg after falling ill between St. Helena and Ascension. His tests have confirmed a Hantavirus infection after he was transferred to South Africa from Ascension. The ship carried approximately 150 travelers from multiple nations. As of May 3, two crew members were receiving medical attention on board. The WHO has been actively engaged in coordinating the medical evacuation of two symptomatic crew members still aboard the 'Hondius'. Comprehensive investigations are underway, which include laboratory testing and epidemiological studies to understand the outbreak. Medical support is being provided to all passengers and crew, with virus sequencing also in process. The WHO is facilitating communications between member states and the ship's operators to ensure the safe evacuation of affected passengers and conduct thorough public health risk assessments. Notifications have been sent to National Focal Points under the International Health Regulations, and a Disease Outbreak News report will be made available to the public.

Health officials have raised concerns after the World Health Organization (WHO) disclosed that five additional individuals aboard the cruise ship 'Hondius' have potentially contracted the hantavirus, escalating the total number of infections to seven. Spanish health authorities are actively tracking the situation as the 'Hondius' prepares to dock in the Canary Islands. The vessel is considering options to anchor at either Las Palmas de Gran Canaria or Santa Cruz de Tenerife, following Cape Verde's denial of entry citing "national public security". Currently, nearly 150 people, representing 23 nationalities—including 14 Spaniards (13 guests and one crew member)—are onboard the ship, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions. The company confirmed that following a couple of deaths and the urgent medical transfer of one passenger to an intensive care unit in South Africa, there are now two crew members exhibiting acute respiratory symptoms—one showing severe illness. The 'Hondius' set sail from Ushuaia on March 20, traversing multiple destinations such as continental Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Nightingale Island, Tristan da Cunha, Saint Helena, and Ascension Island before reaching Cape Verdean waters on May 3. With the potential stop in the Canary Islands on the horizon, the Spanish Foreign Health Service is collaborating with various national and international health organizations to formulate a response plan. These efforts align with the protocol activated by the WHO and entail meetings with the Ministry of Health’s Sub-Directorate of Foreign Health and the Center for Coordination of Health Alerts and Emergencies. Evidence suggests that the current outbreak originated onboard, as hantavirus is primarily transmitted via contact with rat droppings in areas where the virus circulates. The area where the deceased were located is known to house rats that carry the hantavirus. It remains uncertain whether the infection was contracted from rodents or through close contact with infected persons, including a doctor who interacted with one of the deceased. While hantavirus transmission typically arises from animal to human, instances of person-to-person transmission have been reported in the Americas, particularly associated with the Andes virus in Argentina and Chile. This particular case likely involves transmission from an infected passenger or crew member to others onboard. Given that some strains of the virus can spread through respiratory droplets, conditions aboard a confined ship like the 'Hondius' pose a greater risk. As a precautionary measure, health officials have recommended that passengers remain in their cabins and avoid contact with others. Those exhibiting symptoms consistent with the virus will be removed for treatment to designated isolation hospitals, emphasizing the need for intensive care due to the severe nature of the illness. With no specific treatment or vaccine currently available—though some are under investigation—medical authorities recognize the critical nature of the situation. The virus manifests in two primary forms: a more severe American variant and a milder European variant, with current indications pointing towards the American strain. The Dutch health authorities are in the process of preparing a medical evacuation strategy involving specialized aircraft for transferring sick individuals to medical facilities. As of May 5, the 'Hondius' remains at anchor, awaiting further developments.