A cruise ship carrying passengers linked to asuspected hantavirus outbreakhas been denied permission to dock in Cape Verde, as authorities move to prevent any possible public exposure. The move comes despite reassurances from the World Health Organisation (WHO) that the overall risk remains low.
The MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, had been travelling from Ushuaia in Argentina towards West Africa when reports of illness and fatalities emerged. The incident has sparked international concern, with health agencies in multiple countries now coordinating their response.
The vessel's operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, confirmed that three people have died on board the MV Hondius, which was travelling from Ushuaia in Argentina to Cape Verde off the coast of West Africa.
On Monday, the WHO said there wereseven casesof hantavirus identified - two laboratory-confirmed cases and five suspected cases.
According to the operator, the first passenger to die was a Dutch national who passed away on 11 April. The cause of death was not determined onboard.
A second Dutch national, a 69-year-old woman, later collapsed at an airport in South Africa while attempting to return to the Netherlands. She died at a nearby hospital, authorities said.
On 27 April, a British national on the ship became seriously ill and was evacuated to South Africa. The operator said the patient is currently in intensive care in Johannesburg, in critical but stable condition, and thata variant of hantavirus has been identified.
On 2 May, another passenger, a German national, died.
Two crew members, meanwhile, are also experiencing acute respiratory symptoms, and both required urgent medical care.
In response to the outbreak, Oceanwide Expeditions said the passengers are under 'strict precautionary measures', including isolation, hygiene protocols, and medical monitoring.
Source: International Business Times UK
