A US travel blogger stranded aboard MV Hondius has shared an emotional video plea as passengers remain confined on the expedition cruise ship following a suspected hantavirus outbreak that has already claimed three lives.
Jake Rosmarin, who has more than 50,000 followers on Instagram, posted the video while the Dutch-operated vessel remained off the coast of Cape Verde awaiting permission to continue to the Canary Islands.
The outbreak has become one of the most serious health incidents to affect a cruise ship in recent years, with the World Health Organization confirming seven confirmed or suspected cases linked to the voyage, including three deaths and one critically ill passenger.
Rosmarin told followers the situation on board had become deeply distressing for passengers and crew.
“I normally wouldn’t make a video like this, but I feel like I need to say something,” he said.
“I am currently on board the MV Handeas, and what’s happening right now is very real for all of us here. We’re not just a story. We’re not just headlines. We’re people. People with families, with lives, with people waiting for us at home.”
The influencer said uncertainty had become one of the hardest parts of the situation.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty, and that’s the hardest part. All we want right now is to feel safe, to have clarity, and to get home.”
He also urged viewers following news coverage to remember those still aboard the ship.
“So, if you’re seeing coverage about this, just remember that there are real people behind it, and that this isn’t something happening somewhere far away. It’s happening to us right now.”
Passengers Isolated On Board
MV Hondius departed Ushuaia in Argentina on 20th March 2026 for a lengthy repositioning voyage that included Antarctica, South Georgia and remote South Atlantic islands before heading towards Europe.
The vessel was carrying around 149 people from 23 countries, including British, American and Spanish passengers, when the first serious illnesses were reported.
Authorities say passengers have largely been asked to remain inside their cabins while investigations continue and medical teams monitor anybody showing symptoms.
Three passengers have died so far. Oceanwide Expeditions confirmed the deaths of a Dutch couple and a German passenger. A British passenger was evacuated from the ship and remains in intensive care in Johannesburg after testing positive for hantavirus.
The Dutch man reportedly became ill with fever, headaches, stomach pain and diarrhoea before dying after reaching Saint Helena. His wife was later evacuated to South Africa, where she also died.
Two additional crew members, including a British crew member, have also reportedly shown acute respiratory symptoms and are expected to be medically evacuated.
Cape Verde Refused Entry
The ship had originally planned to end its voyage in Cape Verde, but authorities there refused permission for passengers to disembark because of public health concerns.
Spanish authorities have since agreed to receive the ship in the Canary Islands following discussions involving the WHO and European health agencies.
Health officials are expected to carry out a full epidemiological investigation once the ship arrives, including further testing and screening of passengers and crew.
The WHO has said the wider public risk remains low and there is currently no recommendation for travel restrictions.
Why Health Experts Are Concerned
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially deadly infection usually linked to rodents and their droppings, saliva or urine. Symptoms often begin like flu, including fever, chills, headaches and muscle aches, before some patients rapidly develop severe breathing difficulties.
The form being investigated aboard MV Hondius is believed to possibly involve the Andes strain of hantavirus, which is the only known variant capable of limited human-to-human transmission.
Experts say that kind of transmission is extremely rare and generally requires close and prolonged contact between people.
Investigators are increasingly focusing on whether the virus may have been brought aboard by a passenger before the ship departed Argentina, rather than originating from the vessel itself. WHO officials said no rodents had been found on board the ship during inspections.
The incubation period for hantavirus can last several weeks, which has raised concerns that more passengers could still develop symptoms after the ship reaches port.
Cruise Industry Memories Of Covid Return
The unfolding situation has also drawn comparisons with the cruise industry’s experience during the Covid-19 pandemic, when several ships became associated with onboard outbreaks and quarantine measures.
While health authorities stress this situation is very different and far more limited in scale, images of passengers confined to cabins and unable to disembark have reignited memories of those early pandemic incidents.
For now, passengers aboard MV Hondius remain waiting for further updates as the ship prepares to continue towards the Canary Islands.
Rosmarin ended his message by thanking followers for their support.
“I’ll share more when I can, but for now, I just ask for your kindness and understanding. Thank you.”
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