Famous Turkish YouTuber Ruhi Çenet has stated that he was on a cruise ship where hantavirus was detected, which is currently anchored near the Cape Verde Islands. Ruhi Çenet made the following statement:
“During our research voyage lasting about a month, when one person among us died, I initially thought it was due to ocean conditions. But the situation was far worse than we imagined. I left the ship on the 24th day of the journey, but the vessel continued its route for another 11 days until its final stop. Just one day after I disembarked, the wife of the deceased passenger also passed away. Later, a third death occurred, and it was revealed that hantavirus—transmitted by rodents and with no cure—had spread on the ship.”
Çenet stated that the first victim was confirmed to have died due to hantavirus infection: “Currently, the ship’s only doctor is fighting for survival.” He also noted that the final destination of the vessel, Cape Verde, refused to accept the ship due to the virus.
The YouTuber added that he is in good health and has undergone the necessary tests. He also emphasized that the ship’s management did not take the possibility of an infectious disease seriously after the first death.
Meanwhile, the Canary Islands government has opposed the Spanish central authorities’ decision to allow the Dutch-flagged cruise ship “MV Hondius,” where hantavirus was detected, to dock.
Fernando Clavijo, head of the Canary Islands government, stated: “This decision is not based on any technical criteria, and there is insufficient information to reassure the public and ensure safety.”
Clavijo, a member of the opposition People’s Party, has requested an urgent meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
The ship has been held in quarantine near Cape Verde since May 3, and is expected to dock in Gran Canaria or Tenerife within three days.
The vessel carried 88 passengers from 23 countries and 59 crew members. So far, the virus has been detected in 7 people, and 3 deaths have been reported.
The first fatal case, a Dutch male passenger, died onboard on April 11, and his body remained on the ship until April 24. Later, he was disembarked along with his wife on Saint Helena Island. The woman, who showed mild symptoms during evacuation, deteriorated during a flight to South Africa, was hospitalized, and died on April 26.
A German citizen onboard also died on May 2.
