Virus-Hit Cruise Ship Denied Port After Three Deaths
Health Authorities Seek Port for Cruise Ship Amid Hantavirus Outbreak
Cape Verde—Health authorities are working to secure a port for the MV Hondius, a cruise ship currently stranded off the coast, following an outbreak of Hantavirus that has resulted in three fatalities.
Officials in Cape Verde have denied the vessel permission to dock due to concerns over the potential spread of infection. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), two cases of Hantavirus have been confirmed, with five additional cases suspected among both passengers and crew members.
Among the seven reported cases, three individuals have died, one is in critical condition, and the remaining individuals are experiencing mild symptoms. Authorities are exploring the possibility of relocating the ship to Spain for further health assessments and treatment.
Maria Van Kerkhove, a WHO official, emphasized that the immediate priority is the evacuation of two critically ill crew members who require urgent medical care.
The MV Hondius had set sail from Ushuaia, Argentina, and investigations are underway to determine the origin of the virus outbreak. While Hantavirus is typically associated with rodent transmission, health experts are also investigating the possibility of rare human-to-human transmission.
The WHO has stated that the overall global risk remains low at this time.
