Who is Khabir Moraes, the chef from Goa on board the hantavirus-hit cruise ship?

The hantavirus outbreak on a Dutch cruise ship has evoked memories of Covid-19. People have begun fearing that another pandemic is on the rise after the hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship killed three passengers.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday (May 8) asserted eight people had fallen sick, including three who died, in the outbreak connected to the cruise ship.

As concerns arise, a Goan chef aboard a hantavirus-hit ship, who is also a crew member assisting passengers, has said that no one is "symptomatic" on board at present, reassuring family amid the health scare.

Who is the Goan chef?

A chef from Goa, whose name is Khabir Moraes, is among the passengers aboard the expedition cruise vessel MV Hondius. The same ship that has drawn international attention after confirmed and suspected cases of hantavirus were reported.

More from Explainers

This Week in Explainers: Why hantavirus outbreak won’t cause the next pandemic

Hantavirus on cruise ship: How the outbreak was identified almost a month after passenger died

Moraes is an executive chef at Oceanwide Expeditions and a popular YouTuber. He has 25 years of hands-on experience in the industry, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Moraes remained aboard the Dutch-operated vessel as it headed towards Tenerife in the Canary Islands under strict medical supervision, the Goan Everyday reported.

He has now been evacuated from the vessel at Spain's Tenerife.

The cruise ship sailed from Argentina toward Antarctica and then across the Atlantic Ocean over several weeks in early April. It was then stopped on the way near remote islands after the health of passengers and crew members deteriorated, according to the WHO and ship-tracking data.

What Moraes said about hantavirus

Moraes, a native of South Goa’s Cuncolim, stated on Saturday (May 9) that there are no symptomatic people on the ship currently. He also denied reports of a “widespread rescue of sick passengers”.

In an Instagram post, Moraes wrote, "I have been a post circulating claiming that I am a ‘hero’ involved in a rescue operation for ‘HATS virus’ patients on board. While I appreciate the kind words and concern, I need to clear the air with the actual facts. I am a member of this crew."

He added, "Assisting passengers and ensuring the safety of everyone on board is quite literally my job. It’s what we’re trained for, and I am just doing my part as a professional.”

Moraes called the rumours circulating of a widespread rescue of sick passengers "false."

“Most importantly, there are currently no symptomatic people on this ship. The rumours of a widespread ‘rescue’ of sick passengers are false. We are following all standard protocols to keep everyone healthy and the environment safe. I am doing well, the ship is calm, and we’re focused on our usual operations,” he noted in the post, according to Indian Express.

On May 8, he posted on Instagram about the situation on board, ensuring that no additional cases of infection occurred aboard. "We are in excellent hands, with three additional doctors now on board to assist us, including a representative from WHO.”

Hantavirus on the cruise ship

Hantavirus is not a single pathogen but a group of viruses within the family Hantaviridae, which are carried by rodents.

People can get it through exposure to the saliva, urine, or droppings of infected rodents. It typically does not spread from person to person; however, some health officials note that such transmission may be possible.

According to reports, around 150 passengers and crew members from 23 nations were on the deadly ship. Hantavirus first came to light after a 70-year-old Dutch man fell ill and died in the South Atlantic, and laboratory tests in South Africa confirmed the hantavirus infection.

With inputs from agencies