ALBAWABA - According to a Jordanian passenger, circumstances on a cruise ship that recently reported Hantavirus cases have improved and no new illnesses have been observed.
Content creator Qasim Al-Hattou, popularly known as "Ibn Hattouta," discussed the current state of affairs on the Dutch ship Hondius, which is still at sea after previous infections, in an interview with Roya News.
He said that a passenger who had contracted the virus before to boarding was the root of the outbreak, which started over two weeks after the ship left Argentina on its way to Antarctica. The passenger's wife later contracted the virus, and both of them passed away, allegedly as a result of age-related fragility.
Ibn Hattouta denied reports that there were rats on board, emphasizing that the virus was brought in from the outside and had nothing to do with the ship's surroundings.
He mentioned that in order to reassure passengers, the ship recently departed Cape Verde after bringing in a team of medical experts. Preventive methods, including as wearing masks in enclosed spaces and following distance guidelines, have been widely adopted.
According to Ibn Hattouta, who called the situation "under control," passengers have continued to engage in various activities on open decks, and general health conditions have stabilized.
He claimed that despite extensive media coverage, tourists have remained composed and upbeat, with many opting to restrict public communication in order to protect their privacy.
The World Health Organization also reported that other Hantavirus cases were found on the ship, including three fatalities and other probable infections, with one patient still in critical condition.
As officials continue to look into the cause of the outbreak and stop its spread, the ship, which is run by a Dutch expedition firm, has fallen under international health surveillance.
Hantavirus can cause serious respiratory infection and is usually spread by contact with infected rodents or contaminated airborne particles.
Health experts are keeping an eye on the situation while the ship continues its journey in an effort to control the epidemic and guarantee the crew and passengers' safety.
