Video: Turkish YouTuber Ruhi Cenet describes ‘nightmare’ Hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship that left 3 dead
The 35-year-old content creator was among nearly 150 people travelling aboard the MV Hondius when the outbreak unfolded last month. Cenet had boarded the vessel in Argentina on April 1 for a 36-day expedition departing from Ushuaia, hoping to document Tristan da Cunha, one of the world’s most isolated inhabited island groups.What began as a scenic expedition with birdwatchers and adventure travellers soon turned into what Cenet described as a major health emergency.People also askAI powered insights from this story•5 QUESTIONSHantavirus is a rare but potentially fatal disease commonly spread through rodents. On cruise ships, it can spread through inhalation of airborne particles from rodent droppings, and human-to-human transmission is also possible, though considered rare.A hantavirus outbreak occurred on the MV Hondius cruise ship, resulting in five confirmed cases, three suspected infections, and three deaths among nearly 150 passengers and crew.Passengers were first alerted to a possible crisis when the ship's captain announced the unexpected death of a passenger. Initially, the death was attributed to 'natural causes' and deemed 'not infectious'.The cruise operator was criticized for not responding aggressively enough, with suggestions that infected passengers should have been isolated earlier and blood testing should have been conducted. The ship's medical preparedness was also questioned, noting it had only one doctor onboard.After the outbreak was confirmed, the MV Hondius entered quarantine near Cape Verde. Passengers remaining onboard were instructed to isolate in their cabins and wear masks as authorities monitored the situation.WHO Linked Multiple Cases To ShipAccording to the World Health Organization, the outbreak has so far been linked to five confirmed hantavirus cases, three suspected infections and three deaths connected to the vessel.Hantavirus is a rare but potentially fatal disease commonly spread through rodents, although certain strains can also spread from person to person.Health officials have warned that additional infections could still emerge because the virus can have an incubation period of up to six weeks.First Signs Of Trouble Emerged Mid-VoyageCenet said passengers were first alerted to a possible crisis on April 12 when the ship’s captain made an unexpected announcement.“This is my sad duty to inform you that one of our passengers suddenly passed away last night,” the captain said in a video recorded by the YouTuber.According to Cenet, passengers were initially reassured that the death had occurred due to “natural causes” and was “not infectious.”“The ship is safe,” the captain announced.At the time, many passengers reportedly accepted the explanation, partly because the ship had been travelling through rough weather conditions.“I honestly thought it was because of rough ocean conditions,” Cenet later said in a video shared on Instagram.However, concerns escalated as more people onboard reportedly began showing symptoms.“It became clear there was hantavirus onboard,” Cenet said.YouTuber Criticises Cruise ManagementThe travel vlogger also criticised the cruise operator for allegedly failing to respond aggressively enough after warning signs emerged.“I wish the vessel management had taken this problem more seriously,” he said.According to Cenet, potentially infected passengers should have been isolated much earlier and blood testing should have been conducted both before and during the expedition.He claimed the ship continued operating for another 11 days after he disembarked before stricter quarantine protocols were introduced.The YouTuber further questioned the medical preparedness onboard, saying the ship lacked sufficient emergency infrastructure for handling an inf
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