Cruise Ship Anchored Off Cape Verde Amid Hantavirus Outbreak

The MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged cruise ship, is anchored off the coast of Cape Verde after a suspected hantavirus outbreak led to three passenger deaths and several illnesses among the nearly 150 individuals on board. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed two cases of hantavirus and is investigating five additional suspected cases.

Hantavirus is typically transmitted through inhalation of particles from rodent droppings. While human-to-human transmission is rare, the WHO is examining the possibility of such spread aboard the vessel.

Passengers are isolating in their cabins, and medical teams in protective gear have boarded the ship to assess the situation. Oceanwide Expeditions, the ship's operator, plans to evacuate three passengers requiring medical care and then sail to Spain's Canary Islands, pending clearance. Cape Verdean and Spanish health authorities are closely monitoring the event, implementing safety protocols, and preparing for any escalation.

The MV Hondius departed from Argentina on April 1 for a polar expedition. The first death occurred on April 11, involving a Dutch man whose body was later taken off the vessel in St. Helena. His wife subsequently died after being transported to South Africa. A German woman also died on board on May 2.

The WHO indicates that the initial infection likely occurred before boarding, and no rodents have been found on the ship. Investigations and contact tracing are underway, though the threat to the general public is currently deemed low.