Cruise passenger shares ‘no precautions’ were taken after death from hantavirus

A passenger who was on the cruise ship that was hit by a hantavirus outbreak has claimed 'no precautions' were taken after the first person died.

It comes after three ship passengers have died on board the MV Hondius during its journey from Argentina to Cape Verde.

The virus in question is the Andes strain of hantavirus, which is carried by rodents such as mice and rats and transmitted by their droppings and urine. In rare cases, there can be human-to-human transmission.

The condition can start with symptoms like fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and shortness of breath, and can have a fatality rate of between 20 and 40 percent.

As per PA Media, the outbreak has been connected to a birdwatching expedition in Argentina which two of the passengers went on before boarding the ship.

The BBC reports that the MV Hondius is now sailing towards the Canary Islands after being anchored for three days near Cape Verde.

Three passengers have died amid the outbreak (AFP via Getty Images)

146 people from 23 different countries remain aboard under 'strict precautionary measures,' Oceanwide Expeditions confirmed.

YouTuber and former passenger on the MV Hondius, Ruhi Cenet, has spoken to Sky News about his experience.

Cenet disembarked the cruise liner the day before the second person died and claims that no one was 'ready for what was to come'.

He alleged to the publication: "The captain said one of the passengers sadly passed away, and it was due to natural causes. There's no contagious disease, something like that.

"So, this was a relaxing explanation, but this was not the case because the first death was because of the hantavirus.

"And after this announcement, we were not ready, and we were not isolated for what was to come.

"We were to get our breakfast, lunch, and dinner timings in the dining room altogether. There was an open buffet."

The passenger added: "We had leisure sessions, group activities. Still, even after the day we had someone passed away. Until my last day, 24 April, they didn't take any cautions.

"We were not informed about the situation, and the ship management, I think didn't know anything about the virus. They didn't have the necessary equipment or a lab, so I cannot put the full blame on them, but at this stage should have been more considerate of the possibility of a contagious disease."

One passenger has shared his experience (AFP/Getty Images)

In their latest update, Hondius operator Oceanwide Expeditions said it 'continues to manage an ongoing medical situation'.

It said: "Oceanwide Expeditions can confirm that m/v Hondius departed Cape Verde at 19:15 CET and is now heading north. Under the current plan, m/v Hondius will sail for the Canary Islands. This is expected to take 3-4 days. Three additional medical professionals have embarked m/v Hondius to provide optimal medical care during the crossing."

While the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that eight cases of hantavirus, three confirmed and five suspected, have been identified in people who were on the ship.

Three suspected hantavirus patients from Britain, the Netherlands and Germany were evacuated from the ship yesterday morning.

A spokesperson for Hondius operator Oceanwide Expeditions told Tyla: "Oceanwide Expeditions takes the safety and wellbeing of all passengers and crew extremely seriously. At the time of the first death on 11 April, the cause of death was unknown and there was no evidence of a virus or contagion on board.

"This was established by the medical doctor on board and communicated in person by the captain to passengers and crew on 12 April. The case was believed to be isolated following medical review.

"Once hantavirus was confirmed on 4 May, Oceanwide Expeditions immediately upgraded its response protocol, requesting guests follow isolation measures, hygiene protocols and expanding medical monitoring.

"Three additional medical professionals have since embarked the vessel, bringing the total number to four medical professionals on board. We have been working closely with the WHO, RIVM and relevant authorities throughout."

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