Suspected hantavirus outbreak on board cruise ship MV Hondius

The cruise ship MV Hondius, carrying approximately 150 people of 23 nationalities, is currently anchored off the coast of Cape Verde due to a suspected hantavirus outbreak. Three people have died, including two Dutch nationals and one German passenger, while one British passenger remains in critical condition in a South African hospital. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that at least one case has been verified by laboratory tests among the six identified individuals affected by the respiratory illness. Authorities are investigating potential infection routes, as hantavirus is typically spread by rodents and not human-to-human contact, though rare exceptions exist. The ship's operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, is currently coordinating with Dutch and local authorities regarding potential repatriation and medical disembarkation in either Las Palmas or Tenerife. The WHO has stated that the risk to the general public remains low and does not currently advise travel restrictions. As of now, two additional crew members are being monitored for acute respiratory symptoms.