Cruise Ship Chaos: A New Virus Hits the Headlines

Mackenzie Troutman

Reporter

Recently, a rare virus called Hantavirus has made headlines after a recent outbreak connected to the cruise ship, the MV Hondius, left several passengers severely ill and caused multiple deaths. Videos from passengers documenting the situation on TikTok and Instagram have gone viral, with many people online comparing the situation to the beginning of COVID-19, although health experts say this outbreak is very different. 

Others on social media make jokes about preparing to be the new “TikTok Influencers” that rose up during the 2020 COVID-19 quarantine such as Charlie D’Amelio, Addison Rae and Noah Beck. Memes, livestreams and “day in quarantine” videos have quickly spread across TikTok, with users joking about being “stuck at sea” or documenting life onboard as if it were a reality show. While many posts are meant to lighten the mood and entertain viewers online, others have used social media to share real concerns about health precautions, limited movement around the ship and uncertainty about when passengers will fully return home. Viewers are also concerned about quarantine getting in the way of school, especially the fears for class of 2027 and not being able to graduate. The mix of humor and anxiety mirrors the way social media became both a coping mechanism and a major source of information during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some passengers have posted updates from quarantine, sharing clips of medical checks, isolation rooms, and long travel days while being flown back to their home countries. Several American passengers were allowed back into the United States under strict medical supervision and are now quarantined at specialized hospitals in Nebraska and Atlanta while doctors monitor them for symptoms. Officials say some travelers could remain under observation for up to 42 days because the virus can take weeks to appear. 

With this recent outbreak poses the question: what exactly is Hantavirus? Hantavirus is a rare disease usually spread through contact with infected rodents, especially through droppings, saliva or urine. People can become infected by breathing in contaminated dust particles. Early symptoms feel a lot like the flu commonly seen as  fever, headaches, chills and muscle aches, but severe cases can turn into dangerous breathing problems, symptoms closely related to COVID-19.

The strain linked to the cruise ship outbreak is called the Andes virus, which scientists say can rarely spread between humans after very close contact. Health experts still stress that this is not expected to become another worldwide pandemic. The best ways to stay safe and healthy are simple: wash your hands often, clean your spaces, pay attention to symptoms during travel and stay updated. There is no need to cancel your summer vacations, but staying informed and not touching random mice you find is always a good idea.