Three passengers onboard the MV Hondius have died due to a suspected hantavirus outbreak. Cape Verde authorities have blocked the ship from docking to protect public health.
As of early Tuesday, at least two other passengers have fallen ill. One British tourist, aged 69, is in intensive care in South Africa after testing positive for hantavirus.
The ship was carrying a total of 147 passengers and crew when the outbreak was reported. A laboratory has confirmed one case of hantavirus infection, with five additional cases under suspicion.
Key facts:
- The deceased include a 70-year-old Dutch man and a 69-year-old Dutch woman.
- The Dutch foreign ministry is coordinating medical evacuations for affected passengers.
- Hantavirus infections can lead to severe respiratory illness and are primarily spread by infected rodents’ urine or feces.
A World Health Organization official stated, “The risk to the wider public remains low, adding that there was no need for panic or travel restrictions.” This reassurance comes amid growing concerns about the cruise ship outbreak.
According to an anonymous passenger, “The latest word is that a plane is on its way and once it gets here three people will be evacuated from the ship and flown straight to Europe.” The situation continues to develop as health officials monitor those affected.