The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has confirmed that all 38 Filipino crew members aboard the MV Hondius remain free from hantavirus despite multiple infections and three reported deaths among passengers.
Authorities also permitted the vessel to dock near the Canary Islands as health agencies continued evaluating the situation. The outbreak gained global attention after experts monitored a rare hantavirus strain that may be capable of spreading between humans.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the Filipino crew remains under close monitoring while the ship stays under health protocols. He added that the infected individuals on board were passengers and not members of the Filipino crew.
“And all 38 Filipino crew have reportedly not been afflicted. Hindi sila nadapuan ng hantavirus. However, we continue to monitor their situation,” Cacdac said as Philippine authorities coordinated with international health agencies on the outbreak response.
The World Health Organization (WHO) earlier said it was monitoring at least seven cases linked to the vessel, including two laboratory-confirmed hantavirus infections. Reports also confirmed three deaths tied to the outbreak, while some infected individuals were evacuated for hospitalization near Cape Verde.
The MV Hondius departed from Argentina in April before traveling through Antarctica and several Atlantic islands prior to the outbreak being detected. Health experts said hantavirus commonly spreads through exposure to infected rodents, including their urine, saliva or droppings.
Meanwhile, the Philippine government said it continues coordinating with the Department of Health, Department of Foreign Affairs and WHO regarding the condition of the Filipino crew. Some crew members reportedly wish to return home, although authorities said repatriation would depend on medical clearances and international quarantine protocols.
