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This aerial view shows crew members wearing hazmat suites on board of a boat heading towards the port from the cruise ship MV Hondius, stationary off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on May 6, 2026.
AFP
MANILA, Philippines — Thirty-eight Filipino seafarers aboard the MV Hondius have not contracted hantavirus following a rare outbreak on the cruise ship that left three passengers dead, the Department of Migrant Workers said Thursday, May 7.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the Filipino crew members continue to be monitored as international health authorities investigate the outbreak.
“So thus far, yung barko is reportedly somewhere near the Canary Islands and based on the last report, pinayagan silang magdaong sa Canary Islands with the 38 Filipino crew on board,” Cacdac said at a briefing at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1, according to the Philippine News Agency. (So far, the ship is reportedly somewhere near the Canary Islands and was allowed to dock there with the 38 Filipino crew on board.)
“And all 38 Filipino crew have reportedly not been afflicted. Hindi sila nadapuan ng hantavirus. However, we continue to monitor their situation,” he added. (They were not affected by hantavirus.)
Outbreak under probe
The World Health Organization said it was notified on May 2 of a cluster of severe respiratory illness aboard the vessel, which was carrying 147 passengers and crew.
As of May 4, health authorities had identified seven cases, including two laboratory-confirmed hantavirus infections, five suspected cases and three deaths.
The MV Hondius departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1 and traveled across the South Atlantic, including stops in mainland Antarctica, South Georgia, Nightingale Island, Tristan da Cunha, Saint Helena and Ascension Island, according to WHO.
Hantaviruses are carried by rodents and can cause severe illness and death in humans. The virus is commonly transmitted through exposure to infected rodents or their urine, droppings or saliva.
Evacuations were taking place on May 6, from the cruise ship, the WHO said. Experts confirmed a rare strain that can be transmitted between humans.
Three people, two crew members and one other person, thought to be infected with the virus were being taken off the MV Hondius, anchored off Cape Verde.
Crew monitored
The DMW said it is coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Health and international health authorities, including WHO.
Authorities are also in direct contact with the Filipino crew through the vessel’s manning agency and ship owner, while assistance is being extended to their families.
Some crew members have expressed a desire to return home, but Cacdac said repatriation would depend on medical clearances and international health protocols.
“Wino-workout naman din ang kanilang safe repatriation, but we just need to be a little more patient as this is a global concern,” he said. (Their safe repatriation is also being worked out.)
“We need to abide by global medical authorities and global medical clearances, processes for medical clearances, and protocols,” he added. — with a report from Agence France Presse
