Cruise Vessel Quarantined Off Cape Verde After Passengers Die and British Man Lands in Intensive Care
CAPE VERDE: A luxury cruise ship stranded off the coast of Cape Verde has become the center of an international health scare after a deadly hantavirus outbreak left at least three passengers dead and several others seriously ill.
Cruise Ship Locked Down After Virus Outbreak
The cruise vessel MV Hondius remains anchored near Cape Verde after local authorities refused to allow passengers to disembark over fears the virus could spread to the public.
The ship is carrying 149 passengers and crew from 23 nationalities, including British, American, Filipino and Spanish citizens.
Three Dead as WHO Confirms Hantavirus Cases
The World Health Organization confirmed hantavirus infections in at least two cases while five additional infections are suspected.
Among the confirmed fatalities:
- A 69-year-old Dutch passenger died onboard on April 11
- His wife later died after reportedly contracting hantavirus
- A German passenger died onboard on May 2
A British passenger was evacuated to intensive care in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he remains in critical but stable condition.
WHO Investigates Possible Human-to-Human Transmission
Health officials believe some rare human-to-human transmission may have occurred between close contacts aboard the ship.
However, the WHO stated that passengers were likely infected before boarding or during earlier stages of the voyage near South America.
The organization also stressed there is currently no evidence of rats onboard the vessel and said the overall risk to the public remains low.
Cruise Ship Journey Turns Into Medical Nightmare
The MV Hondius departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1 before traveling through South Georgia and across the Atlantic Ocean.
Two additional crew members — one British and one Dutch — are reportedly suffering acute respiratory symptoms while remaining onboard under medical monitoring.
British authorities are now reportedly preparing a medical evacuation mission for one of the infected crew members.
Fear and Uncertainty Continue Onboard
Despite the deadly outbreak, the ship’s operator claimed the atmosphere onboard remains calm as passengers wait for further instructions.
The situation has raised fresh concerns about infectious disease outbreaks on international cruise ships and emergency response systems in remote waters.