Passengers still stranded aboard the hantavirus-stricken HV Hondius appear to be going about their daily routines in a calm manner — despite the looming threat of contracting the illness that killed three fellow travelers.
Photos taken on Wednesday offered an inside look into life on the ship, showing some of the more than 100 quarantined passengers and crew watching TV and gazing out to sea.
Others are seen lining up to speak with epidemiologists, who are watching closely for anyone who might show symptoms of the contagious disease.
“Passengers still have access to fresh air on the outer decks, meals can be delivered directly to cabins, and everyone on board continues to be cared for and supported,” travel vlogger Jake Rosmarin told his TikTok followers on Wednesday.
Their Atlantic cruise turned into a nightmare when an elderly Dutch couple carried a rare, human-to-human strain of the virus aboard after contracting it in Argentina last month.
The husband died aboard the expedition vessel; his wife came down with symptoms after getting off on the island of St. Helena and flying to South Africa, where she died.
Another passenger died, and three were evacuated to the Netherlands for medical care, the WHO said.
Twenty-three others left the ship before realizing they had been exposed to the deadly virus — which has a mortality rate of up to 40% — on April 23, according to a passenger who is still aboard the ship.
But most passengers are still stuck aboard, answering questions from health workers and waiting to see if they show symptoms, which can take up to eight weeks to appear.
But life aboard the HV Hondius seems to be comfortable, at least, as the ship makes its way to the Canary Islands.
The photos show passengers biding their time in clean, well-appointed cabins and shared spaces, pouring themselves hot drinks and snapping photos.
One picture shows several passengers watching a soccer match — apparently as calm as can be expected for people waiting to see if they’ll become deathly ill.
Hantavirus attacks the lungs and slowly suffocates its victims. It is normally transmitted via rodent feces, but the Andes strain can jump from human to human.
Fortunately, it usually spreads through prolonged, close contact and isn’t nearly as contagious as diseases like COVID-19.
Rosmarin thanked cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions for their support and told his fans he hopes medical staff in the Canary Islands can get people the testing and care they need.
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