Health officials are investigating a suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard the polar cruise ship MV Hondius after several passengers fell seriously ill during the transatlantic voyage. The outbreak is currently linked to the death of Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa.
WHO responds to hantavirus outbreak
The World Health Organization confirmed on Sunday that at least one passenger had tested positive for hantavirus and that five other infected people were still under investigation. Of the six reported cases, three have died and one remains in intensive care in South Africa.
“WHO is aware of and supports the public health incident involving a cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic Ocean,” the organization said. “A detailed investigation is ongoing, including further laboratory testing and epidemiological investigations. Medical care and support are being provided to passengers and crew. Viral sequencing is also ongoing.”
The epidemic occurred on the Dutch-operated expedition cruise ship “MV Hondius”, which departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, passed Antarctica and several remote Atlantic islands, and finally arrived in Cape Verde.
Among the victims were an elderly couple
South African health authorities said the first victim, a 70-year-old passenger, died on board the ship. His body was later transported to the British territory of St. Helena in the South Atlantic.
His 69-year-old wife also fell ill during the trip. She was flown to Johannesburg after collapsing at a South African airport, where she later died in hospital.
The third passenger, a 69-year-old British citizen, developed symptoms near Ascension Island and remains in intensive care in Johannesburg. Two other symptomatic passengers are also being evaluated for evacuation and isolation.
According to the World Health Organization, “Hantavirus infections are often associated with environmental exposure (exposure to the urine or feces of infected rodents).
“Although rare, hantaviruses can be transmitted from person to person and can cause severe respiratory illness, requiring careful patient monitoring, support and response.”
At the time of the outbreak, the cruise ship was carrying about 150 passengers and about 70 crew members.
Why Gene Hackman’s family tragedy is being brought up again
The outbreak has brought renewed attention to hantaviruses due to the highly publicized deaths last year of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa.
Officials revealed in March that Arakawa died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a severe respiratory disease caused by exposure to infected rodent urine, saliva or feces.
The CDC says the illness “initially causes flu-like symptoms and may progress to more severe illness that causes people to have difficulty breathing.”
Dr. Heather Jarrell, chief medical investigator for the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, explains how quickly the disease can progress.
“Then they can transition to the pulmonary stage, where they have fluid in and around their lungs,” she said. “At that point, a person could die very quickly, roughly within 24 to 48 hours, without needing treatment.”
Authorities said Arakawa likely died around February 11 at the couple’s Santa Fe home.
Hackman himself died about a week later from cardiovascular disease complicating late-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
“Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease,” Jarrell said. “His health was very poor. He had a severe heart condition which I think ultimately led to his death.”
Officials also noted that Hackman may not have realized his wife had died.
“Hackman suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and it’s likely he didn’t know she had died,” Jarrell said, adding, “That’s a difficult question to answer.”
What are hantaviruses?
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially fatal disease that is spread primarily through contact with infected rodents or contaminated dust particles. Different strains exist around the world, with symptoms ranging from hemorrhagic fever to severe lung infections.
The World Health Organization notes that while human-to-human transmission is uncommon, it can occur in rare cases.
There is currently no specific treatment for hantavirus infection. However, medical experts say early diagnosis and rapid treatment can significantly improve survival chances.
