Passengers are trapped on board an Atlanticcruise shipafter asuspected rat-borne virus outbreakleft three people dead and others seriously ill. The MV Hondius is currently anchored off Cape Verde after authorities refused to allow passengers to disembark.
TheWorld Health Organisation(WHO) confirmed it is investigating six suspected cases of hantavirus infection linked to the vessel. Of those six cases, three people have died and one British man is being treated in intensive care inSouth Africa.
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The cruise had been travelling from Ushuaia,Argentina,towards Cape Verde when the outbreak was reported.
The WHO said it was “aware of the cases of severe acute respiratory illness on a cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic”.
As a result, passengers were told to remain on board while the ship awaited permission from Cape Verde authorities to dock, theDaily Mailreports.
A letter sent to passengers from cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions, seen by the Mail, said: “As you are aware, we are responding to several cases of an unidentified virus.
“We regret to share that, overnight, a guest presenting severe symptoms has passed away.
“We are currently anchored offshore of Cape Verde and awaiting approval from the Cape Verde authorities to disembark, with priority given to those who require immediate medical care.
Source: Daily Express :: World Feed
