The captain of the cruise ship MV Hondius, which was struck by hantavirus, informed passengers that the ship was safe immediately after the first passenger death from the virus on April 12. He assured passengers that the ship was safe and that the environment was “not infectious” immediately after the incident, as shown in a video published on social media that is circulating online.
Cruise ship captain after first hantavirus death: “The environment is not infectious”
“It is my sad duty to inform you that one of our passengers unfortunately passed away last night,” the ship’s captain announced to those on board after the first death, in a video published on social media that is circulating online.
The cruise ship captain continued, saying that “as tragic as it is, we believe it was due to natural causes and whatever problems he had, the doctor informed me that they were not infectious. So, the ship is safe from that perspective. Of course, it is a very, very sad circumstance that will affect our operation.” “The ship is safe,” a second crew member appears to state, adding that “this gentleman unfortunately succumbed to natural causes. We will do everything we can to continue in a safe and dignified manner.”
Testing cruise ship passengers to determine how far the virus has spread
The World Health Organization confirmed that three more passengers who showed hantavirus symptoms were evacuated from the ship to receive medical care in the Netherlands. Approximately 150 people from 23 countries remain on the ship and health authorities are now conducting tests on passengers to determine how widely the virus has spread. It should be noted that approximately 150 people from 23 countries remain on the ship and health authorities are now conducting tests on passengers to determine how widely the virus has spread.
At the same time, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that the overall risk to the general public remained low, adding that “monitoring of passengers and those who have already disembarked has begun.”
“I cannot allow (the MV Hondius) to enter the Canary Islands. This decision is not based on any technical criteria nor have we been given sufficient information,” said the region’s president, Fernando Clavijo, who condemned Madrid’s decision. It should be noted that Spanish authorities confirmed that the ship could proceed to the Canary Islands.
Video shared on social media shows the captain of a cruise ship affected by a hantavirus outbreak informing passengers on April 12 that one person had died on board, saying the death was believed to be due to natural causes and was not infectious https://t.co/kJR4gBhjnZ pic.twitter.com/cYPtUHVR1E
— Reuters (@Reuters) May 7, 2026
