Hantavirus outbreak: The American oncologist who became the cruise ship’s de facto doctor speaks to ABC News
After a doctor on board the MV Hondius cruise ship was infected with the Hanta virus, an American doctor rushed on board to help passengers cope with the outbreak.
Dr. Steven Kornfield, an oncologist from Bend, Oregon, told ABC News that he quickly realized he was leading the response to a full-blown medical crisis on the cruise ship.
Dr. Steve Kornfield is shown in this undated photo. Dr. Kornfeld spoke with ABC News while on board the M/V Hondius.
Courtesy of Dr. Steve Kornfield
The ship’s unidentified doctor was among the six people on board who tested positive for the virus. One passenger, who had a probable case, died on board.
“It escalated somewhat within 24 hours after I intervened,” Kornfeld said. “One patient died while the other two, the doctor and another staff member, were getting progressively sicker, and then the first news about Hantavirus came out.”
The ship’s doctor and ship’s pilot who tested positive are under isolation in the Netherlands. A British man who tested positive has been hospitalized in South Africa while a Swiss man has been hospitalized in Switzerland.
A Dutch woman who tested positive on April 26 died in South Africa while a German woman died on May 2.
None of the 17 Americans on the boat had tested positive for the virus as of Saturday afternoon. The boat is scheduled to arrive in the Canary Islands on Sunday morning, where the passengers will be disembarked and returned to their countries of origin.
Kornfeld, who went birdwatching during the voyage, told ABC News that the entire ship came together to get through the crisis.
Dr. Steve Kornfield is shown in this undated photo. Dr. Kornfeld spoke with ABC News while on board the M/V Hondius.
Courtesy of Dr. Steve Kornfield
“There were so many people helping and working, and it really felt like a team.” He said. “These people are starting to become my family.”
The doctor said that although he felt “a little weak,” he was in good health.
“It’s been days and no one has shown any symptoms, and I know that very soon I will get very good medical care. That’s a relief,” he said.
Dr. Steve Kornfield is shown in this undated photo. Dr. Kornfeld spoke with ABC News while on board the M/V Hondius.
Courtesy of Dr. Steve Kornfield
The US Centers for Disease Control said the Americans will be flown to Nebraska where they will be evaluated, but there will be no mandatory quarantine.
The National Quarantine Unit in Omaha, Nebraska, is prepared to treat and monitor these patients.
Regarding the visit to the unit, Kornfeld said, “Well, I’ve never done birdwatching in Nebraska.”
