American cancer doctor becomes cruise ship’s ‘de-facto’ leader during deadly hantavirus crisis

WASHINGTON, DC: An American oncologist became an unlikely hero aboard a cruise ship struck by a deadly hantavirus outbreak after stepping in to guide frightened passengers and support the vessel’s overwhelmed medical team.

What began as a remote expedition voyage aboard the MV Hondius quickly turned into a growing health emergency after several passengers fell seriously ill and concerns spread over possible human-to-human transmission of the Andes strain of hantavirus.

American cancer doctor steps up as cruise ship faces deadly outbreak

Dr Stephen Kornfeld, an oncologist from Bend, Oregon, told ABC News that he unexpectedly found himself helping lead the response to the escalating crisis onboard the cruise ship.

The ship’s unidentified doctor was among the six people onboard who tested positive for the virus. One passenger with a probable case died onboard.

“It just kind of escalated to within 24 hours after I stepped in,” Kornfeld said.

“One of the patients died and the other two, the physician and one of the other staff members, were getting progressively sicker, and then the first news of hantavirus came out.”

None of the 17 Americans onboard had tested positive for the virus as of Saturday afternoon.

The ship is expected to arrive at the Canary Islands on Sunday, where passengers will disembark before returning to their home countries.

Kornfeld, who had joined the cruise for a birdwatching expedition, said passengers and crew members came together as the medical emergency unfolded.

Passengers rely on oncologist as fear spreads onboard

The doctor said he felt “a little vulnerable” but remained in good health despite the outbreak.

Passengers reportedly turned to Kornfeld for guidance about symptoms, exposure risks and safety precautions as anxiety spread throughout the isolated ship.

He also helped communicate medical information and worked alongside the ship’s healthcare staff during the rapidly evolving situation.

“There were a lot of people kind of helping and working, and it really felt like a team,” he said. “These people have started to become my family."

"Days have gone by and nobody's having symptoms, and I know very soon I will be I'll have access to very, very good medical care. That's a sense of relief,” he added.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the Americans onboard will be flown to Nebraska for evaluation, though there will be no mandatory quarantine.

The National Quarantine Unit in Omaha, Nebraska, is reportedly prepared to monitor and treat those patients.

According to reports, a birdwatching trip to southern Argentina may have triggered the outbreak aboard the Antarctic cruise ship MV Hondius after exposure to rodents in the region.

Regarding the planned visit to Nebraska, Kornfeld joked, “Well, I’ve never been birdwatching in Nebraska."