Virus-Hit Cruise Ship Denied Port Entry In Cape Verde After Three Deaths –
Health Authorities Seek Port for Cruise Ship Amid Hantavirus Outbreak
Health authorities are urgently trying to find a port for the MV Hondius, a cruise ship experiencing a Hantavirus outbreak that has resulted in three deaths. Currently, the vessel is stranded off the coast of Cape Verde, West Africa, as local officials have denied it permission to dock due to concerns about the infection.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed two cases of Hantavirus among passengers and crew, with five additional cases under investigation. Among the seven individuals affected, three have died, one is in critical condition, while others are experiencing mild symptoms.
Officials are evaluating the possibility of relocating the ship to Spain, subject to further health assessments of those on board. Maria Van Kerkhove, a WHO official, emphasized that the immediate priority is to evacuate two seriously ill crew members for urgent medical care.
The MV Hondius had originated in Ushuaia, Argentina, and investigations are underway to determine how the virus spread among the crew and passengers. Hantavirus is typically associated with rodents, but experts are considering the potential for rare human-to-human transmission in this case. The WHO has stated that the overall global risk from this outbreak remains low.
