Alert at Sea: Understanding the MV Hondius Cruise Ship Hantavirus Outbreak

Traveling the high seas is generally an enjoyable vacation however a recent and tragic medical emergency has travelers and health agencies on high alert.

This was not an isolated incident, as the maritime industry has been recently shaken by an outbreak of a serious virus occurring Atlantic cruise ship event causing deaths and enforced quarantine.

If a cruise is on your horizon—or if you're just following the world health scene—the TopTrendz health desk has a guide to all you should know about this rare but deadly virus." We are fully capable of running all our cruises during the time this is happening and by the time it'll be there it will be gone. 

Table of Contents

1. The Tragic Incident on the MV Hondius

2. What Exactly is the Hantavirus?

3. The High-Profile Gene Hackman Connection

4. Treatment and How to Stay Safe

1. The Tragic Incident on the MV Hondius

International media has recently focused on a hantavirus that has led to an outbreak aboard a cruise ship. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that there have been three confirmed deaths in the wake of a suspected outbreak on board a ship sailing in the Atlantic Ocean.

MV hondius (also written as the m/v hondius) is the vessel caught in this crisis, sailing the route from Argentina to Cape Verde.One case of hanta virus has been confirmed on board, with an additional five suspected cases currently undergoing laboratory analysis. The abrupt appeal of this m/v hondius cruise ship emergency demonstrates the potential dangers of infectious diseases happening suddenly and unexpectedly.

2. What exactly is the Hantavirus?

We need to know about the agent (Pathogen) to see how serious this cruise ship hantavirus outbreak is.

Hantavirus is a certain type of viruses that are carried mainly by rodents.According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "this virus is primarily transmitted to humans by the inhalation of airborne particles from dried rodent urine, saliva, or droppings". Bite or scratch from a rodent transmits the disease as well, though "rare". 

• Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS): Muscle aches, fatigue and fevers typically occur initially before progressing to respiratory difficulty. If respiratory symptoms occur, the CDC noted mortality at about 38%. 
• Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS): This also involves mainly the kidneys and can result in hypotension, intra-abdominal bleeding and acute renal failure. 

3. The High-Profile Gene Hackman Connection

Although the current cruise ship hantavirus story is the latest headline, the disease has hit the headlines on major occasions before now.

In February of 2005, Betsy Arakawa, wife of Tony and Oscar winning actor gene hackman...These findings from the medical investigators proved that Arakawa had acquired HPS and subsequently died.It was found that nests and dead rodents were present in the barns outside of the house she was found in, and bewilderingly the police file revealed that she had logged onto the internet just days before her death to look-up the symptoms of COVID and flu.

4. Treatment and How to Stay Safe

The concept of a hantavirus cruise scenario would be very frightening for the cruise traveler.

At this time there are no specific therapies or treatments for viruses that are acquired from an exposure on a hantavirus cruise.

• Medical Care: Recommended by the CDC is to provide as much intensive supportive therapy as is needed including ventilator support, oxygen therapy, dialysis, and antiviral therapy.
• Prevention: The golden rule is "less contact" with rodents.CDC recommends avoiding contact with rodents by blocking entry points in household or work areas and always gear up while sweeping up rodent droppings.

Whether you are immersing yourself in a new luxury cruise, or simply cleaning out your uppermost attic, no matter what the case, it is important to stay conscious of environmental health. Keep tuned to TopTrendz for more health breaking news.