3 dead after Hantavirus appears on cruise ship MV Hondius
A suspected outbreak of Hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius has left three people dead as the vessel remains anchored off Cape Verde. All victims are Dutch nationals, including an elderly couple, while a British passenger is in intensive care and two crew members remain symptomatic. The situation has raised an alarm due to the rare presence of the virus in a cruise setting.
The World Health Organization is investigating several suspected cases, as authorities delay disembarkation and assess containment risks. Experts suggest infections may have occurred before departure, possibly linked to rodent exposure, though transmission routes remain unclear. Health officials are now coordinating potential evacuations and repatriation efforts amid growing concern for passengers and crew still onboard.
