Goan chef aboard cruise ship linked to hantavirus outbreak says no one is symptomatic

“Most importantly, there are currently no symptomatic people on this ship. The rumours of a widespread ‘rescue’ of sick passengers are false. We are following all standard protocols to keep everyone healthy and the environment safe. I am doing well, the ship is calm and we’re focused on our usual operations,” he added in the post.

In an earlier post on Facebook on Friday, Moraes wrote, “The situation on board is being managed with the utmost care. There are no additional cases of infection on the vessel. We are in excellent hands, with three additional doctors now on board to assist us, including a representative from the World Health Organization (WHO).”

At least two Indians are reported to be crew members on-board the MV Hondius cruise ship. The World Health Organization on Friday said eight people had fallen ill, including three who died, in a hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship. Six were confirmed cases and two of these were probable cases. The cruise ship had 147 passengers, including 59 crew members when the outbreak occurred on May 2. At least 34 passengers had already left the vessel when the outbreak happened.

The ship left Cape Verde on May 6 and is heading toward Tenerife in the Canary Islands and is expected to arrive within 3–4 days. The vessel, as of Friday, was moored off the coast of Cape Verde in Africa.