An American travel blogger stranded aboard the MV Hondius amid a hantavirus outbreak, Jake Rosmarin, has pushed back against concerns over hygiene, insisting the vessel is “maintained to a very high standard.”
The outbreak has resulted in three deaths and multiple illnesses among passengers.
The disease involved, Hantavirus, is a rare infection transmitted to humans through contact with rodent droppings. Health officials believe the initial case occurred before boarding, with subsequent transmission taking place on the ship.
So far, authorities have confirmed two cases, while maintaining that the broader public health risk remains low. Global experts continue to monitor the situation closely.
Rosmarin, who has been documenting events from onboard, said in a statement to The Independent that, aside from the confirmed infections, most passengers are “doing well” and remain “in good spirits.”
He emphasized that the MV Hondius is not a conventional cruise liner but an expedition vessel, which operates under stricter hygiene standards due to the remote and sensitive environments it այցել.
“These ships operate with strict protocols and a strong emphasis on cleanliness, especially given the remote and environmentally sensitive regions they visit, which require high levels of biosecurity,” Rosmarin said.
“The vessel is maintained to a very high standard, and suggestions that it is unclear are not accurate,” he added.
Rosmarin also described precautionary measures implemented onboard, including mask use, social distancing, and in-cabin meal services designed to limit contact and reduce the risk of further spread.
“Access to the outer deck is permitted for fresh air, while gathering in indoor common areas such as the lounge is currently restricted,” he continued.
“We continue to be well cared for, and additional medical provisions and supplies have been brought on board,” he added.
The blogger, who has built a following of over 50,000 on Instagram, posted an emotional video update on Monday, urging viewers to see beyond headlines and recognize the human impact of the situation.
“We’re people. People with families, with lives, with people waiting for us at home,” he said. “There’s a lot of uncertainty, and that’s the hardest part.”
There are currently 149 passengers aboard the vessel, including four British nationals and four British crew members. Plans were in place to medically evacuate a British crew member and a Dutch colleague on Tuesday, while others are expected to remain onboard for several more days.
Operator Oceanwide Expeditions confirmed that three individuals—including two requiring urgent medical attention and a person linked to a passenger who died on May 2—will be transported to the Netherlands for treatment.
Following the evacuations, the ship is expected to head toward the Canary Islands, a journey estimated to take three days. It remains unclear when passengers will be permitted to disembark.
According to the World Health Organization, there are currently two confirmed and five suspected cases of hantavirus linked to the ship.
