Oceanwide Expeditions CEO Rémi Bouysset has shared for the first timed three deaths and additional medical treatments following a hantavirus outbreak aboard the Hondius during a crossing from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Praia, Cape Verde. The company has coordinated with medical organisations, maritime authorities, and governments to disembark guests and crew and transfer those needing urgent care. Epidemiological testing has shown the virus has come from a source in South America.
The company has implemented precautionary measures to sanitise and assess the vessel before it has returned to service for the Arctic season. Oceanwide has maintained strict pest-control and biosecurity procedures. No link has existed between the infection and the vessel’s condition or onboard operations.
The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak over after the final contact has completed quarantine and tested negative. The Hondius has undergone deep cleaning in Rotterdam.
Rémi Bouysset shared “We worked to safely disembark all guests and crew and transfer those requiring urgent medical care from the vessel at the earliest possible opportunity.”
