A passenger aboard a cruise ship struck by a deadly virus has issued an emotional plea from isolation, as authorities refused to allow two sick crew members to disembark.

The MV Hondius, a Dutch expedition vessel operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, has been left stranded after a suspected hantavirus outbreak that has already claimed three lives.

Among those affected is a 69-year-old British man, currently fighting for his life in intensive care in Johannesburg. Several others on board are also feared to be infected.

The ship, which departed Ushuaia in Argentina on March 20, had been due to end its 46-day voyage in Cape Verde.

However, local authorities have denied permission for ill crew members to come ashore, citing concerns about the risk of infection spreading.

Officials have instead instructed the vessel to continue its journey.

American travel blogger Jake Rosmarin, one of nearly 150 passengers on board, shared a video message from his cabin, urging the public to remember those caught up in the crisis.

‘What’s happening right now is very real for all of us here,’ he said. ‘We’re not just a story, we’re not just headlines, we’re people. People with families, with lives, with people waiting for us at home.’

He described the uncertainty as the hardest part, adding: ‘All we want right now is to feel safe, to have clarity, and to get home.’

His message comes as passengers face an anxious wait of up to eight weeks to know whether they have contracted the virus.

The outbreak has already led to the deaths of three Dutch passengers.

A 70-year-old man died after falling ill with symptoms including fever, headaches and stomach pain while the ship was near St Helena. His 69-year-old wife later collapsed and died after being evacuated to hospital in South Africa.

A third victim has also died on board.

The World Health Organisation has confirmed at least one case of hantavirus, with several more suspected.

Two crew members currently in need of medical care remain on the ship after Cape Verde refused them entry.

Dutch authorities are now working to evacuate the sick crew, along with other affected passengers, while Oceanwide Expeditions is considering diverting the ship to the Canary Islands – possibly Las Palmas or Tenerife – where passengers could undergo medical screening.

In a statement, the company said it was still awaiting authorisation from Cape Verdean authorities.

There are 149 people on board, representing 23 nationalities.

Hantavirus is typically spread through contact with infected rodent droppings, urine or saliva, and can cause severe respiratory illness.

Though rare, it can be fatal in around 40% of cases, according to health authorities.

Experts believe those infected may have contracted the virus before boarding, rather than on the ship itself.