Passengers are isolating aboard a cruise ship where a suspected outbreak of hantavirus has killed three people, its operator announced Monday, after Cape Verde denied them entry to the island nation.
Ship Details and Nationalities
The MV Hondius, carrying 149 people from 23 nationalities including Spain, Britain, and the United States, is under strict precautionary measures. The ship's operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, confirmed that passengers are following isolation protocols, hygiene measures, and medical monitoring.
Deaths and Medical Cases
Three deaths have been linked to the cruise, which traveled from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Cape Verde off the coast of West Africa. Two individuals died on board, and one died after disembarking. One passenger is in intensive care in Johannesburg, and two others require urgent medical care, according to the operator. Hantavirus has been confirmed in the passenger in intensive care, but it remains unclear if the virus caused the three deaths.
Cape Verde's Decision
Maria da Luz Lima, president of Cape Verde's National Institute of Public Health, stated that the ship was not granted authorization to dock at the port of Praia to protect the local population. No contact between passengers and the country has been allowed.
Potential Disembarkation Locations
Spain's Canary Islands are being considered for disembarkation, where further medical screening could take place. Dutch authorities have agreed to lead a joint effort to repatriate two symptomatic individuals to the Netherlands, pending authorization from Cape Verdean officials.
WHO Statement
Despite the outbreak, the World Health Organization's director for Europe, Hans Kluge, emphasized that the risk to the wider public remains low and there is no need for panic or travel restrictions. Local doctors have visited the ship to assess the medical condition of two sick crew members, but no permission was given to evacuate them to shore.
